Wolves had a busy summer in terms of departing transfers, but which three major players may be the next to move on?
Gary O’Neil has had a mixed start to life at Molineux, having seen his side beat Manchester City and then go to Old Trafford and humiliate Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils. While they were on the wrong end of a 1-0 loss against Manchester United, O’Neil’s players put on a great performance in every area of the game until it came to putting the ball in the back of the net.
The team’s results have been inconsistent as they continue to develop together on the field. Nevertheless, the 2023/24 season has started better than anticipated, especially given Julen Lopetegui’s sudden departure from the club shortly before it commenced.
During the summer, several key players left Molineux due to the managerial turmoil. Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Adama Traore, and Raul Jimenez all decided to end their tenures with the club. Neves played a crucial role in the club’s return to the Premier League in 2018, while the other three were instrumental in maintaining their top-flight status and reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in the 2019/20 season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have faced financial fair play constraints in recent months, which have presented challenges. These restrictions not only limit their ability to make new signings but also emphasize the need to sell valuable assets to generate revenue. We’ll now explore three players who might be the next to leave the club in the near future.
Rayan Ait-Nouri
In recent years, the left-back position has been subject to frequent changes, with players like Toti Gomes, Jonny Otto, and Ait-Nouri all vying for the role. However, in the 2023/24 season, Ait-Nouri has finally secured a consistent spot in the team under his new manager, who seems to have a lot of confidence in him.
Ait-Nouri has delivered standout performances, notably keeping star players like Phil Foden and Anthony quiet in matches against Manchester City and Manchester United. His combination of speed and strength poses a considerable challenge for opposing wingers, and his relentless work rate makes him a formidable opponent.
He exhibits remarkable composure when in possession and frequently contributes to the team’s attacking efforts. As an Algeria international, he possesses the potential to step up to a higher-tier Premier League team or even attract interest from clubs in various European leagues. At just 22 years old, there’s no rush for him to move on from his current club for the remainder of the 2023/24 season and possibly beyond. Nevertheless, given the scarcity of quality left-backs in the Premier League, other clubs are likely to start taking notice. Signed for £9.5 million as reported by The Express and Star, Ait-Nouri could be in line for a significant transfer in the future.
Joao Gomes
Should Gomes decide to pursue a new challenge in the next year or two, fans shouldn’t be caught off guard. This expectation stems from his own admission to ESPN, where he expressed his desire to reach the pinnacle of football by stating, “Playing in the Champions League is my ultimate football dream.” Given his impressive performance since joining the club in January 2023, it would not be surprising to see European teams expressing interest.
Before his move to Wolves, Liverpool was among the teams rumored to be interested in the Brazilian midfielder. In fact, Gomes himself commented on the possibility of joining Anfield, saying, “I would love to play for Liverpool. It’s a team I’m highly motivated to join.” Considering that Jurgen Klopp’s squad is still on the lookout for midfield reinforcements following their summer transfer activity, this could be a development worth monitoring in upcoming transfer windows.
At just 22 years old, Gomes has formed a robust partnership in the midfield alongside Mario Lemina, creating one of the most hard-working and industrious midfield duos in the league. This was evident when even a dominant Manchester City midfield struggled during their visit to Molineux, with Gomes and his colleagues dictating the game at various points. Not only is Gomes a tireless presence in midfield, but he also possesses excellent composure when on the ball. Having been signed for £15 million earlier in the year, it seems probable that a move to a European competition-bound team is on the horizon, possibly within the next year or two.
Pedro Neto
Neto has taken the spotlight this season for O’Neil’s team, emerging as a standout performer. The Portuguese winger has contributed significantly by providing assists for five goals and netting one himself in the first eight league matches. Notably, he has undergone a transformation by shifting from his traditional left-wing position to become a right-winger, injecting a new vitality into his game.
This transformation is particularly impressive given Neto’s previous struggle with two severe knee injuries over a two-year period, which raised concerns about his ability to maintain his explosive style. However, he put those concerns to rest with a remarkable solo goal against Luton Town early in the season. In this goal, Neto showcased his unaltered speed as he chased down a challenging through pass, cut inside, and clinically rifled the ball into the net.
His manager showered him with praise after that game while also urging him to become a more frequent goal scorer. The manager stated, as reported by the Daily Mail, “Can he increase his goal tally? Most likely, especially when he plays on the right and can cut inside on his favored left foot. He has been absolutely outstanding during my tenure.” At just 23 years old, Neto is rapidly emerging as one of the brightest talents in the league, and if his current form persists, top clubs in England and Europe will likely start discussing the possibility of acquiring his services. The club values him at £50 million, as reported by The Birmingham Mail, making Neto a potential significant departure from Wolves in the near futu
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