This next week could be make or break for Wolves as the end of the transfer window looms.
Wolves have been fairly inactive on the transfer front since July. After the club’s four major signings, both Max Kilman and Pedro Neto have departed, with zero replacements found yet.
It was believed that Wolves only had £20 million to spend for the remainder of the window. However, in his recent press conference, Gary O’Neil suggested that there was ‘no set budget’ on how much Wolves could spend.
With many of the Molineux faithful eager to see multiple additions before deadline day, this article depicts a ‘dream scenario’ of how the squad could look by September.
Signings Wolves need to make to have a dream transfer window
For many Wolves fans, there are multiple positions that need strengthening to improve the team.
Realistically, with a week left of the transfer window, some areas will be left until January or next summer.
However, there are four players that O’Neil could bring in before the window slams shut that would improve the squad massively.
Aaron Ramsdale
Ramsdale has been heavily linked with Wolves over the past week. The England international struggled for game time at Arsenal last season after the arrival of David Raya.
With his claim to the England number one jersey looking weaker, it is believed that the 26-year-old is open to a move.
Wolves reportedly put in a loan offer for Ramsdale with the option to buy for £25 million. However, nothing has progressed since then.
If the club could secure the signing of the goalkeeper, it would secure the long-term future of the position as well as help fill their home-grown quota.
It would also give Jose Sa some much-needed competition which he has been severely lacking in recent seasons.
Bastien Meupiyou
A player who looks very likely to make the switch to Molineux this summer, French centre-back Bastien Meupiyou is believed to have plenty of potential.
The 18-year-old made his professional debut for Nantes last season and is a regular for the French Under 18s side.
It is believed that Wolves have now had a bid accepted for Meupiyou and he could sign over the coming days.
The Old Gold have been light at the back since the departure of Kilman and this signing could help reinforce the position.
David Carmo
The true replacement for Kilman, David Carmo would help increase the pedigree of Wolves’ backline.
Last season, the centre-back won the Europa Conference League alongside Daniel Podence with Olympiacos, the club’s first-ever European trophy.
Since then, the Angolan international has returned to his parent club Porto but it is unclear if he will return to the first team after being banished last year.
Wolves were strongly linked to Carmo earlier in the transfer window but these rumours have since died.
Hopefully, over the coming weeks, the Old Gold reignite these talks and bring in a formidable centre-half to partner Yerson Mosquera.
Read more: Who is David Carmo? Wolves’ potential Max Kilman replacement.
Calvin Stengs
A replacement for Neto could be crucial for the new season. While Rodrigo Gomes has joined the club, Wolves arguably still need reinforcements.
One great addition would be Calvin Stengs. The right-winger currently makes his trade for Feyenoord and had a fantastic campaign last season.
Combined the 25-year-old picked up six goals and 12 assists in just 29 games. This form has now continued into the 2024/25 season with Stengs already netting once and picking up two assists in the first game.
Wolves were linked to Stengs earlier this week but nothing has developed yet. If they were to bring him to Molineux, he would no doubt be a fantastic addition.
Departures Wolves need to have a dream transfer window
On top of signings, there are a few Wolves players who have reached the end of their careers in Old Gold.
Whether it’s due to their inability to adapt to English football or simply to raise additional funds, there could be multiple departures before deadline day.
Fabio Silva
An obvious addition, Fabio Silva has never performed in an Old Gold shirt.
The former record signing has consistently underperformed for Wolves and once again failed to net a Premier League goal last season.
All signs point towards an exit and O’Neil needs to ensure it is a permanent one to finally end this failed transfer.
The striker does have significant interest from multiple clubs. Genoa were believed to have bid for Silva, however, this was only a loan deal.
Goncalo Guedes
Another Wolves outcast, Goncalo Guedes has been given a new lease of life under O’Neil after returning from his loan spell at Villarreal.
The winger was part of Wolves’ pre-season tour in the USA where he made his first appearance in Old Gold since January 2023.
However, despite the Wolves manager’s desire to keep the Portuguese man, the club should still cash in.
Wolves cannot afford another Silva situation where they take a chance on Guedes after a successful loan just for him to falter once more. His sale could allow more wiggle room in the final week of the window and help much-needed additions.
Wolves’ best starting XI for the 2024/25 campaign
If Wolves can pull off these transfers in the last week, it would no doubt be a decent window.
The backline would once again be secured with Mosquera partnering Carmo. In the net, you have the choice between Ramsdale and Sa. The England international gets the edge for this team but it could go either way.
Then, the two centre-midfielders Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes would keep their places with Matheus Cunha coming back to fill a CAM role.
Finally, the front three would be completely changed from last season with Jorgen Strand Larsen leading the line and Gomes and Stengs on either side of him.
Wolves’ dream starting XI
- GK – Aaron Ramsdale
- RB – Nelson Semedo
- CB – Yerson Mosquera
- CB – David Carmo
- LB – Rayan Ait-Nouri
- CM – Joao Gomes
- CM – Mario Lemina
- CAM – Matheus Cunha
- RW – Calvin Stengs
- ST – Jorgen Strand Larsen
- LW – Rodrigo Gomes