Transfer News

Wolves’ most expensive departures of all time: Where Pedro Neto ranks

Find out who Wolves’ most expensive departures of all time are and where Pedro Neto is set to rank on the list.

Since their promotion back into the Premier League, Wolves have not been afraid to sell some of their most prized assets.

Over the years, multiple stars have left the Molineux side for big fees. However, there have also been many players who Wolves have cashed in on after a good loan spell elsewhere.

This summer, Gary O’Neil is set to lose another two highly important players. Captain Max Kilman has already left for West Ham with Pedro Neto now set to also depart for Chelsea.

The duo have both commanded big fees which could be re-invested back into the Wolves squad

As a result, Molineux News has listed Wolves’ 10 most expensive departures to see where Neto ranks.

10. Rafa Mir 

Wolverhampton Wanderers Training Session
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

A player who barely made an appearance for Wolves, Rafa Mir joined the club in January 2018, making four appearances on their way to promotion.

After this, the striker never played for the club again and was sent on numerous loan spells. In the 2020/21 season, he netted 16 goals in all competitions for relegated Huesca. This resulted in Sevilla buying Mir for £13.7 million from Wolves.

9. Matt Doherty

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Copa/Getty Images

In the Irishman’s brief spell away from the club, Matt Doherty transferred to fellow Premier League outfit Spurs on the back of another great season.

The capital side paid £15 million in August 2020 for his services before he ended up back at Molineux for free three years later.

8. Helder Costa

Shrewsbury Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers - FA Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

Once Wolves’ magic man, Helder Costa never truly recovered from his injury in the 2016/17 season.

After helping the club win promotion to the Premier League, the winger was eventually sent on loan to Leeds in the Championship.

Here, his spell was successful which resulted in a permanent transfer worth £16 million.

Read more: Wolves’ most expensive signings of all time.

7. Nathan Collins

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Nathan Collins only lasted a season at Wolves, yet the club managed to make a profit.

Joining from Burnley upon their relegation in the 2021/22 campaign, the Irishman struggled to hold a place down in Wolves’ starting XI the following season.

Craig Dawson’s arrival only damaged this further and he was eventually shipped off to Brentford for £23 million in the 2023 summer transfer window.

6. Morgan Gibbs-White 

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham FC - Premier League
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Another player whose success out on loan warranted a big transfer fee. Wolves academy product Morgan Gibbs-White struggled to ever cement a place in the starting XI at the club and was often sent on loan to the Championship.

A fantastic spell at Sheffield United in the 2021/22 campaign caught the attention of newly promoted Nottingham Forest who saw a £25 million bid accepted by Wolves. However, it could potentially rise to £42.5 million through add-ons.

5. Max Kilman 

Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images

Captain Kilman now looks set to leave Wolves after spending the last couple of seasons in the starting XI.

The Englishman has been wanted by former manager Julen Lopetegui throughout the summer at West Ham. Now it is believed that a £40 million fee has been agreed for Kilman, with him expected to depart.

4. Diogo Jota 

Chelsea FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Former starman Diogo Jota earned a surprising move to Liverpool back in the 2020 summer transfer window.

The Portuguese international had been central to Wolves’ recent rise up the English pyramid and had netted plenty of memorable goals.

However, in September 2020, he earned a move to Liverpool for a fee of £41 million which could rise to £45 million.

3. Ruben Neves

Arsenal FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

Easily the most heart-breaking departure. Former Wolves captain and modern-day legend Ruben Neves ended his long stay at Molineux in the 2023 summer window with a move to Saudi side Al Hilal.

The midfielder had just one year left on his contract, and with Wolves in PSR trouble, they cashed in on Neves for a fee of £47 million.

2. Matheus Nunes

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/

Wolves’ current record departure is Matheus Nunes. Despite his first and only year at the club being an uninspiring one, Man City felt the need to splash the cash on the midfielder.

At the end of the 2023 summer window, a £53 million fee was agreed between the two clubs which saw Nunes’ short spell at Wolves come to an end.

1. Pedro Neto

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton & Hove Albion - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

If his transfer to Chelsea goes through, Neto is set to top the list. The capital club bid £54 million for the winger which was accepted by the Old Gold.

The move will end the Portuguese international’s five-year stay at Wolves where he won Player of the Year in 2021 and became one of the club’s best players.

If he can overcome his torrid injury record, he will no doubt be a sensational player for Chelsea.