Wolves managed to sign Jean-Ricner Bellegarde on transfer deadline – but he wasn’t someone the club just went after out of the blue.
Wanderers had a very busy finish to the summer window, bringing in four players in the final 48 hours.
Enso Gonzalez, Santiago Bueno, Tommy Doyle and Bellegarde all came in, with Matheus Nunes a high profile departure.
Bellegarde actually did his medical in France, in scenes that mirrored last year’s move for Boubacar Traore.
The Frenchman – who cost £12.8 million – was not a part of Wolves’ squad for the game against Crystal Palace given the very late nature of his signing.
But Wolves fans will be looking forward to seeing the ‘silky’ star after the international break – and he is a player the club have actually had on their radar for a long time.
Wolves signed Jean-Ricner Bellegarde after holding an interest since 2018
The Athletic have today produced an article about Wolves’ finish to the summer window.
And there is a line about Bellegarde and how the club haven’t just plucked his name out of thin air.
Apparently, Wolves have actually watched him since 2018. Scout Alex Acton is said to have him in action for Lens against Auxerre.
In the end, the Nunes sale finally allowed Wolves to swoop.
He is essentially the Portuguese’s replacement, being a ball carrier and having that dynamism in midfield.
Wolves did also look at Harrison Reed from Fulham. But a deal was too difficult to complete and so, Bellegarde quickly became the priority.
Bellegarde an exciting addition for Wolves
So Wolves got Bellegarde in on deadline day – and he appears to be someone the club have tracked for some time.
Seemingly, the circumstances haven’t been right for a pursuit up until now.
Nunes going appeared to open the door for this transfer to happen.
Hopefully now, Bellegarde can come in and do similar things to Nunes but on a more consistent basis.