Patience required despite Wolves transfer window boost

Wolves’ recruitment plans have been boosted now Julen Lopetegui has confirmed he is staying at the club, but deals in the next week or so look unlikely as the club prepares for their sixth successive season in the Premier League.

The club has been getting on with identifying players regardless of the uncertainty about Lopetegui’s position after he voiced concerns about spending plans this summer.

But the manager’s decision to stay on with full commitment to the cause, following talks with sporting director Matt Hobbs, will strengthen Wolves’ hand as they sell the club to potential signings.

That was something Hobbs reflected on this week, when he told the club: “What’s still a big pull for people is Julen. Players want to come and play for this manager.”

However, one reason Wolves will still have to be patient this summer is that they need to raise more money than they spend in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

Even if captain Ruben Neves is sold for the asking price of £45m, another significant sale would be needed for the club to invest.

That doesn’t mean players have to leave before signings can be made, but the club would have to be convinced sales are going to go through before they commit to new players.

As Hobbs said: “Generally, the likelihood is that players will leave before we can bring new faces in. The reality is the season has only recently finished, players are away on international duty, and deals will start to happen after clubs start to return for pre-season.

“When it’s such a long race, the summer window, it’s a lot of posturing – waiting for your moment, and with every player you want to sign, there’ll always be a moment. It won’t be like the winter, where we go for six and get all six, because the summer is different because more clubs are spending money. We feel we’re in a good position for a number that we like, but obviously we have to make sure the finances balance out.”

The club will have to be creative in the transfer market so, for example, speculation linking the club with £35m-rated midfielder Manu Kone from Borussia Monchengladbach last week looks less convincing than the links with Atletico Madrid’s midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, the 30 year old former France international who is reportedly available for £4m and also on the radar of Besiktas and Fenerbahce.