Wolves’ summer transfer window saw them miss out on numerous transfer targets, and Christantus Uche was one of the most prominent.
Negotiations were very advanced with Getafe and Wolves agreed to sign the Nigerian for £17 million, but the deal ultimately collapsed.
There were previous suggestions that the Uche deal fell through due to the money involved in the deal, as well as Jorge Mendes’ involvement causing issues with the transfer.
However, Liam Keen has now delivered an update on why the player chose Crystal Palace over the Old Gold, and it wasn’t due to money.
Christantus Uche did not sign for Crystal Palace for higher wages
After Christantus Uche signed for Crystal Palace, there were suggestions it was due to the money being offered to the player.
Liam Keen has now clarified the situation on the Express and Star Wolves Podcast, saying [12:06] ‘Contracts were being sent over, the player’s agents were receiving them, combing through them, and realising that it wasn’t quite what they agreed.
‘The agents and the player were furious with what was being sent through to Wolves.’
Keen later says Uche did not sign for the Eagles due to being offered more money, stating ‘People assume he’s gone there for more money. He hasn’t.’
The journalist continued, ‘He’s gone there because Wolves didn’t deal with it very well, and particularly the agents involved didn’t deal with it very well.’
Jorge Mendes’ involvement did seem to cause problems as previously reported with Keen saying, ‘Jorge Mendes was heavily involved in this deal, and they were furious with how it was dealt with, furious really with how Wolves handled it in general.’
The rejection from Uche will sting even more now, as the reason was not monetary for the player not being at Wolves, but rather a miscommunication through negotiations.
From Keen’s words, it seems both parties were not on the same page, and had they handled the situation better, the former Getafe man would be in Wolves’ colours.
It was not meant to be in the end, and the Nigerian instead lines up for Crystal Palace.
If Christantus Uche succeeds Wolves can only blame themselves
Christantus Uche may not have got his Wolves move, but he will be playing Premier League football.
Those at Molineux will no doubt have an eye on how he fares under Oliver Glasner, and will be secretly hoping he struggles.
If the player becomes an important signing for the Eagles, it will be a terrible reflection on the Wolves board, who let such a player slip through their hands.
Beyond the obvious frustration about how the transfer saga ended up, it only highlighted how the Old Gold have competed in the transfer market under Fosun.
A lack of ambition and ultimately disappointment, even if Uche does not turn out to be a Palace success.