Wolves recently sanctioned a loan move to Feyernoord for Hugo Bueno – and some interesting details about the deal have now come to light.
Bueno completed his move to the Dutch giants earlier this week, following Pedro Neto out the exit door.
Bueno had made some comments earlier this summer to suggest that he was ready to stay and fight for minutes at Molineux. But the picture changed, with a number of clubs showing interest in him.
Leeds United and Celtic were thought to be options for the player, but it was Feyenoord who won the race.
Matt Hobbs has described them as ‘the perfect club’ for Bueno, and now, journalist Liam Keen has provided some interesting information about the deal that reflects well on Wolves.
Wolves have actually taken steps to ensure Hugo Bueno plays regularly at Feyenoord
Last term, Bueno made 25 appearances for Wolves but for just 830 minutes.
He was firmly behind Rayan Ait-Nouri in the pecking order, and Gary O’Neil also picked Matt Doherty to play on the left on occasion.
It was a bit of a shame for him, after he featured prominently under Julen Lopetegui in 2022/23.
But Ait-Nouri was superb last term and there was just no chance that he was going to get in the team over the Algerian.
£10,000-a-week gem Bueno will now embark on a new chapter – and Wolves have moved to ensure that Bueno will definitely play regularly.
Liam Keen said on the E&S podcast: “Some details I’ve managed to get which I think are quite interesting. The answer is no, he can’t be recalled in January. Unless Feyenoord, for whatever reason want to cancel the loan provided there is a clause for them to do that of course, then he will be staying there for the full season.
“What there is in terms of incentives for Wolves, both from a financial point of view and footballing point of view for Hugo Bueno is the following; Wolves have been given a pretty good loan fee and all wages paid. Feyenoord will have to pay certain penalties if he doesn’t play enough minutes. So it’s very much built around him playing regularly and being very heavily involved and developing as a footballer.
“There’s also bonuses included for how well Feyenoord do. So Wolves are going to receive more money depending on how well Feyenoord perform in the season as well.”
Smart from Wolves
Wolves have done a very good deal with Feyenoord here and Bueno is surely going to get the regular football he needs at this stage of his career.
There may be times when Bueno can’t play due to injuries or suspension, and there may well be the odd game where the manager doesn’t play him for tactical reasons.
But Wolves have clearly taken steps to ensure that he will play a lot in 2024/25.
And that is good news, because Wolves may find themselves in a situation next summer whereby big clubs are coming calling for Ait-Nouri, given his huge potential.
It would be great to have someone who is ready to step straight into the Algerian’s shoes should he be sold.