The January transfer window could play a defining role in Wolves’ season as they attempt to secure their Premier League safety.
It’s been a campaign of battling relegation so far and new manager Vito Pereira will be hoping to guide Wolves into a more prosperous 2025, starting with a successful transfer window.
The most important position Wolves will be targeting is a new centre-back, as they currently boast the Premier League’s worst defence.
Someone with more speed and mobility to supplement the ageing Craig Dawson and the inexperienced duo of Santi Bueno and Toti Gomes is required.
However, it isn’t just incomings where the Old Gold will be directing their focus as several first-team players could leave on loan in January.
So, with that said, here are three stars who could temporarily depart Molineux next month.
Pedro Lima
Wolves signed exciting right-back Pedro Lima from Brazilian side Sport Recipe in the summer.
Lima is seen as the long-term heir to Nelson Semedo at right-back, with the 18-year-old even drawing comparisons to the legendary Cafu.
So far, Lima has made two senior appearances for the Old Gold, making his first as a wing-back in their 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Burnley in August and even assisting Goncalo Guedes.
Sadly, Gary O’Neil didn’t back that up with chances in the Premier League and he suffered an ankle injury while playing for the under-21s last month.
In the heat of a relegation battle and with the competition at right-back, Pereira is unlikely to use the young Brazilian and he should instead seek a loan in January.
Bastien Meupiyou
In a clear investment for the future, Wolves paid £4.2 million for centre-back Bastien Meupiyou from Ligue 1 side Nantes, securing his signature on transfer deadline day.
The 18-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance or feature in the under-21s as he arrived at Molineux with a knee injury.
Meupiyou was spotted training in October and the Frenchman has since worked his way back to full fitness, even making the bench for the first time in the defeat to Ipswich Town.
With the long-term injury to Yerson Mosquera and the lack of senior options in defence, the door was perhaps ajar for the youngster to earn some minutes.
- READ MORE: Wolves must land cut-price transfer for ‘very fast’ defender in January – it’s a no-brainer
While that remains the case – especially in the FA Cup – capturing a quality centre-back could push him further down the pecking order.
Indeed, much like Lima, Meupiyou could benefit from being loaned out in January to gain some invaluable senior experience before returning to Wolves.
Luke Cundle
Luke Cundle faces an uncertain future at Molineux after playing zero first-team minutes for Wolves this term.
The Warrington-born midfielder has previously spent time out on loan across the EFL, including at Swansea City, Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City.
Wolves rejected a £500k bid for Cundle in the summer after he impressed O’Neil in pre-season however, such praise was never rewarded with opportunities in the senior side.
Instead, the 22-year-old has been frozen out of the squad, with a report from September suggesting Stoke were ready to sign Cundle in January.
Whether their interest materialises into something concrete remains to be seen but after missing out on the Englishman in August, perhaps Wolves will see their academy graduate loaned out next month or moved on for good.