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Blog: Why this Wolves takeover talk is now harming the club

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It has now been over a fortnight since it was reported that Wolves were set to install Julen Lopetegui at the helm of a new regime involving a Chinese takeover.

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As early rumours gained more and more momentum, various sections of the English media have now reported on the story.

Every day has been full of anticipation of a further announcement and they say the waiting is the hardest part, writes blogger Tom Tracey.

Until the takeover reaches its conclusion, a non-disclosure agreement will prevent the club from making any official announcements and so we are left to speculate.

Only three weeks remain of the pre-season, with the squad left threadbare and the club in limbo.

Transfer targets such as Nick Powell, Jake Bidwell and Ashley Fletcher have moved to Wigan, Queens Park Rangers and West Ham respectively.

All could have gone to Wolves, who have been unable to make transfers during this period of negotiation.

Only goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has been recruited, while out-of- favour midfielder Kevin McDonald is expected to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.

This leaves the club with around 19 first-team players – 18 if McDonald leaves – excluding promoted under-21 players or those that are expected to go out on loan such as Enobakhare and Deslandes.

Of these 19, Williamson, Zyro, Graham, Dicko and Ebanks-Landell are unavailable due to injuries or treatment, leaving the squad devoid of depth, with Joe Mason the only recognised forward available.

In the 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury last weekend, the line-up in the first-half was Lonergan, Iorfa, Batth, Hause, Doherty, Evans, Price, Saville, Henry, Wallace and Mason.

After the break, it became Flatt, Odoffin, Hayden, Leak, O'Hanlon, Coady, Herc, Ronan, Hunte, Ennis and Enobakhare.

The first-half team was arguably the strongest available, which is worrying as it is difficult to imagine this team competing in the Championship.

Already, there have been over 80 incoming transfers in the Championship, with teams such as Leeds, Reading , Barnsley and Preston adding six recruits each.

Huddersfield have added a massive 11 players to their squad, either on loan or permanently.

Norwich and Rotherham have added the same amount of players as Wolves, while Derby County are the only club yet to sign a new player.

With super-agent Jorge Mendes involved in the Wolves takeover negotiations, it is feasible that he will have players lined up to join Wolves from his Portuguese network.

However, these players will not have had experience of English football and, with only three weeks until the campaign begins, they will not have much time to adapt.

Understandably, the sale of a football club and all its assets is one that takes time to ensure that the deal is right for everyone.

But the sooner this can be resolved, the better chance Wolves have of being ready for the opener against Rotherham.