Wolves are braced to have a busy summer in the transfer window, as Gary O’Neil braces himself for interest in star man, Pedro Neto.
Wolves will hope for the transfer window to be stronger than the summer of 2023, where the Old Gold looked doomed ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Financial restrictions saw key players leave to generate funds, with no room to welcome replacements to replenish the squad.
Ultimately, the FFP concerns that surrounded Molineux resulted in Julen Lopetegui leaving his post just days before the season, seeing Gary O’Neil take charge of the depleted side.
Luckily, the Englishman has proved his worth against the odds this season, with European football still a possibility for Wolves with 10 games to go.
There will be no rest for the club at the end of the campaign despite their achievements this term, as the summer transfer window presents O’Neil with the chance to bolster his options ahead of 2024/25.
The summer transfer window will be an interesting time for Wolves
After losing a number of high-profile players last summer, it’s hoped that Wolves won’t see history repeat itself this year.
That being said, there has already been a host of speculation surrounding the future of Pedro Neto, who is said to be a target for Premier League clubs.
Rumoured to be valued by the Old Gold at at least £60m, Arsenal, Liverpool and other admirers of the winger could be forced to pay a significant fee to pry the 24-year-old away from Molineux.
While it would be a positive move in terms of finances for Fosun and Wolves, O’Neil would be left with a sizeable void to fill in his absence on the pitch.
Transfer expert provides update on Wolves plans surrounding Pedro Neto transfer
Speaking exclusively to Molineux News, HITC journalist Graeme Bailey provided an update on Wolves’ plans regarding the potential sale of Neto, outlining the aim to not repeat one of last summer’s mistakes.
“I think we will see, if Neto is to go, they’ll want that done fairly early, they won’t want to get caught out by letting him go on the last day and then having to scramble around for a striker.”
“I think they’ll be determined to make sure that doesn’t happen, they would be able to sign a striker without that happening, I think they’re doing the work heavily now on who they want and there are options out there.”
Bailey provided an interesting scope on Wolves’ potential plans surrounding Neto’s future, homing in on the importance of not leaving it too late to sell the in-demand talent.
Last term, the Old Gold sold Matheus Nunes to Manchester City on deadline day, giving O’Neil little time to scramble for bodies to boost the numbers in attack.
If the £53m sale of the Portugal international could have been agreed earlier into the window, Wolves would have more room to consider replacements that fit their tight budget.
Considering how far the squad have come under O’Neil this season, the project at Molineux has now become one not of survival, but of progression, which will transform the approach going into the 2024 summer window.
Neto’s future will determine a lot regarding the potential movement at Wolves this summer, particularly if the 24-year-old exits for a sizeable fee.