Wolves will be hoping for a busy summer in the transfer window ahead of the 2024/25 campaign however, Gary O’Neil may not need to spend big to acquire high-quality talent.
This summer will be pivotal to how Wolves can progress under Gary O’Neil, as the manager has carried his shortened squad to great heights throughout this campaign.
After missing out on transfer targets last year due to financial restrictions, Fosun must offer the boss support in acquiring fresh talent in preparation for the 2024/25 calendar, where the manager’s influence must continue to flourish at Molineux.
READ MORE: Wolves’ worst-ever signings under owners Fosun ranked
While the majority of talk so far regarding Wolves’ transfer situation is potential outgoings, O’Neil will be eager to bolster his limited squad with depth in the market, with one former Premier League forward set to become a free agent this summer.
Wolves should consider signing Nicolas Pepe this summer
This week, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe will become a free agent this summer.
The former LOSC Lille superstar was signed by the Gunners back in 2019 for an eyewatering fee of £72m, a price that was never satisfied during the Ivory Coast international’s time in North London.
In 2023, Pepe bid farewell to Arsenal on a free transfer after failing to make it under Mikel Arteta’s regime, joining Turkish side Trabzonspor whom he will now leave this summer.
Romano relayed that despite receiving interest from the Middle East, the player hopes to return to Europe, which could make for an interesting prospect for a club like Wolves.
Nicolas Pepe would be a good fit for Gary O’Neil
Pepe’s time in the Premier League was not glamorous however, it was not as shocking as many would have thought considering how far the 28-year-old has fallen since his time at the Emirates.
In 80 Premier League appearances, Pepe contributed to 30 goals, scoring 16 and contributing nine, numbers that are ironically close to those of Pedro Neto, who has 31 goal contributions in 110 Premier League appearances, via Transfermarkt.
There’s a player there to be rejuvenated, and one that has Premier League experience and a know-how of how to play in England, having won the FA Cup and secured a total of 112 appearances for Arsenal.
For Wolves, signing a free agent comes with very little risk, particularly when it comes to a player who is desperate to rediscover his form and confidence.
Once lauded for his ‘phenomenal‘ attitude by Arteta after being sent on loan to OGC Nice, the Ivorian has a lot to play for yet in his career, being only 28 years old.
In terms of what he could offer to Wolves, when at his best, Pepe is an elusive wide player, with pace, skill and power to drive at the opposition, as highlighted by 2022/23 Ligue 1 statistics, where he averaged an impressive 2.05 successful take-ons per 90, via FBref.
By capturing the signature of the former Arsenal outsider, O’Neil could unlock shades of the forward’s previous quality, a move that could prove to be beneficial to Wolves’ depth and the player’s future.