'Matter of time' - Wolves near major transfer agreement as £27.5m attacker set for exit door
Transfer news latest as Wolves approve a significant transfer exit.
Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Goncalo Guedes is reportedly on the verge of joining Real Sociedad on a permanent deal.
The Old Gold have been seeking potential suitors for Guedes as the attacker is not in head coach Vitor Pereira’s plans, despite the fact last season was his most productive in a Wolves shirt. Guedes, who signed from Valencia in 2022 for around £27.5 million, has failed to live up to expectations at Molineux and hasn’t done enough to stay for another campaign.
The former Portugal international has contributed just seven goals and six assists in 51 appearances for Wolves across all competitions, costing around £2.1 million per direct goal involvement. Loan moves to Benfica and Villarreal in 2023 and 2024 were supposed to help Guedes reignite the scintillating form he achieved at Valencia, but he still struggled.
Sociedad close in on Guedes deal
It might not be long until Guedes’ nightmare days at Wolves are over, as Record Portugal reports the former Portugal international will join Sociedad this summer. It’s stated that it will only be a ‘matter of time’ before the final details are finalised, as an agreement is now close between the player and Spanish La Liga club.
Meanwhile, Italian journalist Matteo Moretto reports that Wolves and Sociedad are in advanced talks to complete the deal. It’s been confirmed that all parties are keen on a permanent transfer, so that’s what’s being sought in negotiations.
Guedes exit would increase wage budget as Pereira eyes mega deals
If Guedes does leave Wanderers this summer, the club will benefit financially, even if Sociedad end up paying a fee that’s far inferior to the £27.5 million Wolves paid. According to Capology, the winger is currently on around £90,000 per week, a huge wage considering he’s often warming the bench.
With that extra wage budget potentially soon to be available, Wolves could get a little more creative in the transfer market. The extra wages saved, coupled with the big-money fees received for Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri earlier this summer, provides Pereira with a tidy budget to work with.
Some of the funds have already been spent on winger Fer Lopez, who joined from Celta Vigo for £19.5 million, while Jorgen Strand Larsen’s £2.5 million loan - also from Celta - has turned permanent for a further £23 million. Then there’s Fluminense winger Jhon Arias, who has joined in an £18.1 million deal after impressing at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Pereira is understood to be keen on signing a new right-back as it appears Nelson Semedo will not be staying at the club despite the generous offer of a new four-year contract. Marc Pubill was considered but he joined Atletico Madrid instead, so other options must now be weighed up.
A new centre-back is also desired as Pereira prefers to operate with a back three and the current depth isn’t seen as sufficient. There could be more movement up front, too, as Pereira wants another out-and-out centre-forward to compete with Strand Larsen.