Wolves blog: Assessing the window
The third transfer window of the Fosun era has ended.
It has been another dramatic window following last summer’s trolley dash. But this time there has been more method and strategy - barring one key position.
Twelve first team signings this summer made it 25 in total – permanently or on loan – since Fosun took over.
They have broken the club transfer record in each of the three windows they have overseen, with a different head coach in charge at the end of each window.
But they have dealt sensibly in terms of Financial Fair Play rules, signing the more expensive players on longer contracts to spread the cost.
If you take Ruben Neves’ transfer fee out, the club have only paid fees this summer for Miranda and Douglas, totalling around £3.5 million.
First came the defenders and goalkeepers – Ryan Bennett, Roderick Miranda and Phil Ofosu-Ayeh joined in June.
July began with Barry Douglas, before a double-swoop for Ruben Neves and Willy Boly. John Ruddy and Will Norris came next before Ruben Vinagre completed the defensive signings.
Forwards Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini came last, before a deadline day swoop for Alfred N’Diaye bolstered the midfield.
But the signing many people said was the most vital over the last moth did not manifest itself – a striker.
This is made even more poignant with the departure of Nouha Dicko, leaving Leo Bonatini as the only outright first-team striker at the club.
Wolves now have 20 league games before the transfer window reopens on January 1.
Make no mistake, this transfer window is arguably Wolves’ strongest ever, with a massive rehaul of the team to bring in Champions League talent.
In goal, Ruddy and Norris have replaced Andy Lonergan and temporarily Carl Ikeme, who is battling leukaemia.
Bennett, Miranda, Ofosu-Ayeh, Boly, Douglas and Vinagre have replaced Silvio, Mike Williamson, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, and Dominic Iorfa.
Neves and N’Diaye are upgrades to George Saville, Dave Edwards and Lee Evans.
In the front three, Jota and Bonatini have been brought in to replace James Henry, Jed Wallace, Jordan Graham, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Nouha Dicko, Paul Gladon and Joe Mason.
The club have reinforced the squad with quality additions, but have left themselves short up front.
Wolves’ 3-4-3 formation allows the forwards flexibility, meaning the likes of Zyro and Cavaleiro could deputise for Leo Bonatini in the central position.
But after all the structure and organisation Wolves seemed to possess, they did not manage to bring in that one key forward everyone was hoping for.
All day on Thursday it appeared Wolves would be signing Jurgen Locadia for £10 million from PSV, until the Dutch club changed their mind and backed out of the deal.
This left Wolves in a desperate position, with only Bonatini as a recognised striker.
It also meant Donovan Wilson’s loan move to Port Vale was scuppered as he will be required as backup.
Certainly, Wolves’ squad is stronger now than it was in May, and they still have a solid promotion chance.
But it feels as though the club have missed a trick in not bringing in that central forward that could really do the damage and put away chances with consistency.
