Five players set to leave Wolves this summer - including fan favourite and highest earner

Wolverhampton Wanderers are approaching what could be a very important summer transfer window as they seek to progress under new head coach Vitor Pereira.

It’s been a superb start for Gary O’Neil’s successor as he has won 10 of his 18 Premier League matches to date, losing six and drawing the other two. Wolves had just two victories from their opening 16 matches and were right in and amongst the relegation fight, but they incredibly confirmed their top-tier status for another season with five games to go.

Now 13th in the Premier League above the likes of Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, Wolves, currently on a run of six straight wins, are back in mid-table. Just being steered away from relegation and finishing 17th would’ve been a success under Pereira, but the manager has gone above and beyond, breathing life back into Molineux.

The summer presents an opportunity for Pereira to make a proper mark on his squad, but the months ahead are just as much about deciding what to do with the current crop as it is about new additions. Everyone loves signings but Wolves aren’t in a position to spend willy-nilly because of the threat of falling back into trouble with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

It’s often difficult to predict just how a club is likely to approach a summer, especially the turbulent Wolves, but there are a few likelihoods ahead of the next transfer window. There are several first-teamers looking set to leave as it stands due to their contracts running down, for instance, while there’s a decision to be made for a loan player.

Five players on track to leave Wolves

Three first-team stars are set to depart Molineux this summer unless Wolves step in quickly as their deals are set to expire on June 30.

One who will definitely be leaving is experienced central defender Craig Dawson. The 34-year-old has never been in Pereira’s plans and he’s expected to move on for pastures new, perhaps in the Championship. West Bromwich Albion may be tempted to make an approach for their former player, who wants to stay local to the West Midlands.

Pablo Sarabia’s future is up in the air as there are currently no talks taking place over a contract extension. The 32-year-old, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla, has contributed eight goals and 12 assists in 74 appearances for the Old Gold. Although he’s been a useful utility player, he’s understood to be one of the club’s highest earners.

The final player whose contract is up shortly is Nelson Semedo. The club captain has become quite the fan favourite but his days at Molineux could be numbered. Birmingham World understands Wolves have held talks with Semedo over a potential new contract, but nothing has been agreed just yet. Of the five on track to leave, he’s the most likely to stay.

Ajax loanee Carlos Forbs is another who will leave Wolves this summer. The 21-year-old forward has failed to hit the heights expected of him as he has played just 260 minutes across all competitions, registering one assist.

There was an obligation to buy Forbs, but only if he met certain performance-related criteria. Birmingham World understands the winger must have started 10 Premier League matches or more for the purchase clause to be mandatory; as Forbs has only started one, Wolves don’t have to buy him, and they aren’t planning to.

Then there’s talisman Matheus Cunha, the fifth on this list. The Brazilian’s contract isn’t expiring any time soon as he extended his old terms back in February, but there’s a release clause in his contract worth £62.5 million.

It’s understood that Manchester United have held talks with Cunha and his representatives over recent weeks as the Red Devils are willing to pay the necessary fee. Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have previously held an interest, while Aston Villa have admired from afar.

Cunha staying at Wolves isn’t impossible but the chances are very, very slim. Even the attacker himself has admitted it.