With transfer season firmly behind us, discovering new links can feel somewhat pointless, but it’s interesting to see the direction in which Wolves were trying to go.
Wolves missed out on a midfield signing to back up Joao Gomes and Andre, something that could come back to haunt Vitor Pereira.
But it wasn’t for lack of trying.
One fantastic Brighton midfielder was the subject of interest from Wolves in the final weeks of the window, but he ended up making a move elsewhere.
Wolves came close to agreeing a deal for Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley
Matt O’Riley only arrived in the Premier League last summer, making the move from Celtic after a career-best season, boasting 31 goal involvements in the Scottish Premiership.
Brighton’s usual process of developing a young player for a few seasons was not followed in this case, with the 24-year-old made available for sale amid concerns of an overcrowded midfield.
In the latest edition of the E&S Wolves podcast, Liam Keen revealed it was between Marseille and Wolves for the Danish midfielder.
He says: “The last few days leading up to deadline day, there was a player at Brighton called Matt O’Reilly. He ended up going to Marseille but Wolves were very, very close to getting over the line.”
O’Riley is a more attack-minded midfielder, but he has the physicality to operate in deeper positions, as he showed under Fabian Hurzeler.
But despite Wolves’ efforts to get a deal done, they couldn’t convince the player. Keen continues: “It was really down to Wolves on Marseille and he chose France.
“It’s a shame, I cannot believe that they have come out of that window without a midfielder. Now we’re basically counting down the days until January for them to get someone across the line.”
That’s the sentiment shared by most fans regarding Wolves’ end to the window.
Wolves have to stay competitive until January window
It’s all well and good looking ahead to the next transfer window, but solutions need to be found well in advance of January 1st.
At their current rate, Wolves won’t be within range of survival by that point, thereby increasing the difficulty of attracting quality players. Who wants to board a sinking ship?
The main focus needs to be on maximising the performances of the players currently at the club.
Pereira hasn’t yet found a settled starting XI, which is causing Wolves to look aimless in attack and disorganised out of possession.
But he thinks time will help, and the new signings will find their feet given enough of a chance.