Wolves fans were very optimistic at the start of the 2025 summer transfer window, but it ended up being one of the most frustrating ones in years.
After the great work Vitor Pereira did last season, supporters were hoping to see the Portuguese tactician backed in a big way.
A restructure took place that saw Matt Hobbs leave the club, with Domenico Teti coming in as new director of professional football. And it was stated that Jorge Mendes and Valdir Cardoso would be having more influence, but with Pereira having the final say.
But Wolves really struggled to sign the targets they wanted.
The hijacking of the Marc Pubill deal by Atletico Madrid seemed to set the tone, and all this while players were leaving left, right and centre.
But Wolves signed off on seven transfer deals in total, and Molineux News now grades those that have come in.
Jorgen Strand Larsen
- Signed from: (Celta Vigo)
- Fee: (£23m, after initial loan)
Given all the talk about Newcastle and Jorgen Strand Larsen in the final days of the window, it has been easy to forget that Wolves only just turned his move permanent.
Jorgen Strand Larsen scored 14 goals in his debut season at Wolves, and his permanent signing was always on the cards after he passed the threshold of appearances required.
Wolves landed him for £23 million and that really is a bargain, for a player who is so clearly suited to the Premier League.
Tim Spiers ranked Strand Larsen as the ninth best signing of the summer of all Premier League transfers, and Wolves then keeping hold of him was a huge positive.
- Grading: A
Fer Lopez
- Signed from: Celta Vigo
- Fee: £19m
Fer Lopez was Wolves’ first ‘new’ face of the summer, arriving from Celta Vigo for just shy of £20 million.
Wolves probably overpaid slightly for the Spaniard, who comes in having not actually had much experience of senior football.
But Lopez had a positive pre-season, and has already had some exciting glimpses across his three appearances for Wolves so far.
While he’s unpolished and has no Premier League experience, Wolves are said to have really high hopes for Lopez, who has already been training with the senior Spain squad while on duty with the U21s this international break.
- Grading: B-
Jhon Arias
- Signed from: Fluminense
- Fee: £19m
Jhon Arias was personally recommended by Vitor Pereira, who had seen him for Fluminense while managing Flamengo in Brazil.
Jhon Arias has come to Wolves as the replacement for Matheus Cunha. So there’s big shoes to fill, but Arias had impressive numbers at his previous club and will hopefully be the creative spark Pereira needs him to be.
He has international pedigree, having accrued 29 caps for Colombia, and Arias has arrived at Molineux having been regarded by many as one of the best players in the Brazilian Serie A.
He’s still adapting for Wolves so far, but his transfer was a positive step by Wolves.
- Grading: B
David Moller Wolfe
- Signed from: AZ Alkmaar
- Fee: £10m
Wolves losing Rayan Ait-Nouri was a major blow, given his creativity.
David Moller Wolfe is a different type of player, and has a profile that Pereira really likes.
He is tall and physical, and it is anticipated he’ll lock down the left side a bit more than Ait-Nouri did.
It remains to be seen what the attacking output is like, although Moller Wolfe has shared his plan to contribute goals and assists for Wolves.
Grading: C
Jackson Tchatchoua
- Signed from: Hellas Verona
- Fee: £10m
Jackson Tchatchoua wasn’t Wolves first-choice signing for a new right-back.
Wolves had been close to signing Marc Pubill, but saw the move hijacked by Atletico Madrid. Wolves also tried for Juanlu Sanchez of Sevilla, but ultimately couldn’t convince him to come.
Wolves were even said to have wanted Anan Khalaili before Tchatchoua.
But the Cameroon international is here now, and will hopefully make a success of his time here.
One thing is very clear already; Tchatchoua is rapid.
But will he have the end product to boot? One assist so far suggests he might.
Grading: C-
Ladislav Krejci
- Signed from: Sparta Prague
- Fee: £6m loan, £20m option to buy (automatically triggered if a certain number of games are played)
Wolves signed their first Czech player ever in the form of Ladislav Krejci.
Krejci could be useful for Wolves in that, he’s a great ball player and also has leadership qualities.
Krejci’s ability to play in midfield could actually also come in very handy now, after Wolves inexplicably failed to sign a new midfielder after letting both Tommy Doyle and Boubacar Traore leave on loan.
But one can’t help but wonder if Krejci was really needed – and especially for the money Wolves are paying, which might have been invested in a midfielder.
- Grading: C-
Tolu Arokodare
- Signed from: Genk
- Fee: £24m
Tolu will serve as cover and competition for Strand Larsen, and may even play in a partnership with him eventually.
Tolu was the joint-winner of the Golden Boot last season over in the Belgian league, and he could be a real threat with his imposing 6ft 6in frame.
Wolves fans already like Tolu based on how he came across on his first day at Compton Park, and hopefully he can provide some extra firepower this season.
It was a positive move by Wolves to add another striker, but £24 million was a big fee meaning the pressure will be on.
- Grading: B-