Wolves make stark Goncalo Guedes admission, Aston Villa issue key update over player’s future

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui has broken his silence after summer signing Goncalo Guedes was allowed to leave the club on a half-season loan deal. The winger, who only joined Wolves five months ago for a £30 million fee, had been entirely left out of the matchday squad a number of times recently.

The 26-year-old has played just 44% of the minutes available to him in the Premier League this campaign, scoring one goal and contributing one assist in that period. He has undoubtedly failed to meet the expectations set before him, especially with the sizable figure that was required to bring him to Molineux.

It is hoped Guedes can rediscover some form out on loan in his native country with Benfica, where he started his career, but his future beyond June remains a doubt. The winger was in fine form last season as he netted 11 goals in 36 La Liga appearances for Valencia, but he has been a shadow of his usual self of late.

“He wanted to go out, of course we wish him the best,” Lopetegui admitted ahead of Wolves’ game at Manchester City. “He’s a good guy and a good player, I think he’s going to be happier there and we wish him all the best. Goncalo wanted to leave and you cannot have players that are not happy here,” Lopetegui continued.

New signing Pablo Sarabia, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain for a bargain fee in the region of £4 million, is expected to fill the gap left by Guedes. The Spanish international is a proven scorer and he impressed on loan at Sporting Lisbon last term, with 15 goals and eight assists in 29 league matches.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have confirmed a deal has been reached for a player

In other West Midlands football news, Wolves’ local rivals Aston Villa have confirmed that exciting youngster Kadan Young has signed his first professional contract with the club. In and around the first team of late, the recently-turned 17-year-old is a pacy winger with a high ceiling.

Once announced by the Villans, academy manager Mark Harrison said: “Kadan has always shown potential which saw him play in our Under-21s at the age of 16. Seeing him involved with the first team recently also reflects his potential.”