Wolves are finally beginning to see the best of one of their youth academy stars but fans will be concerned it has come at a cost.
Gary O’Neil’s sacking was long overdue, and with Vitor Pereira hitting the ground running, including picking up seven points from his first three games, there are plenty of reasons to feel optimistic ahead of the second half of the season.
Wolves are preparing to play third-placed Nottingham Forest in their next match and will be hoping Pereira can mastermind another victory.
However, while things have turned around on the pitch, fans will still be reeling from one decision their former manager made.
Hugo Bueno hints at Wolves stay despite Barcelona transfer links
O’Neil’s decision to let defender Hugo Bueno leave and join Feyenoord on loan has been questioned.
The Spaniard’s form this term has boosted his profile among some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Bueno has emerged as a transfer option for Barcelona and could become a target later this year.
Speaking about Barcelona’s proposed interest in him, Bueno, who spoke to Express and Star, said: “Rumours are rumours, I’m not really focusing on anything. I’m a present guy, I like to think in the present and what I’m doing tomorrow. Right now, I’m just focusing on me.
“I’m trying to be in the best shape possible, trying to help my team to win games. But I’m not really focusing on that, whatever happens, it will happen, but it’s not something that is worrying me. I’m just focusing on what can I do to get better every day.”
And going on to boost Wolves’ chances of retaining his services, the 22-year-old confirmed he wants to return to the Midlands once his spell in the Eredivisie ends.
“At the moment I’m just thinking about doing my best here,” he added when asked about his future at Molineux.
“I’m just trying to work and do the best for Feyenoord and for myself and in the future we’ll see. At the moment I’m just focusing on right now and next season we’ll see. I would love to come back but as a football player we really need to play and feel confidence, that’s the main thing.
“That was one of the reasons that I decided to go on loan because you need to be confident, you need to feel that confidence in you to play good. I’m looking for that 100 per cent. This season, next season, just every season in my career.”
Hugo Bueno enjoying Feyenoord loan spell
Fans are keeping a close eye on how Bueno does for Feyenoord this season but will be made to wait for his return.
That’s because Bueno does not have a recall option in his Feyenoord contract so must stay in the Netherlands until the summer.
The young full-back probably won’t mind though. He has already started more league games this season than he did throughout the whole of last campaign and is relishing his role in Brian Priske’s system.
Despite Feynoord suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat against rivals PSV last time out, Bueno was one of his side’s best players and will be expecting to start against Utrecht next weekend.
Since being promoted to the Old Gold’s first team in 2022, Bueno, who has three-and-a-half years left on his contract, has featured in 49 matches in all competitions. His only goal for the club came against Coventry City in last season’s FA Cup quarter-finals.