Wolves set to change recruitment plan and target English-based players

REVEALED: Wolves set to change recruitment strategy and target English-based players this summer to add experience after three disappointing transfer windows

  • Wolves have not signed a senior player from an English club since summer 2018 
  • They have generally targeted players from Europe rather than from English sides
  • Wolves are looking to change tack after the success of the likes of Ollie Watkins
  • Said Benrahma, Ebere Eze and Abdoulaye Doucoure have had good seasons too
  • More wanted from Nelson Semedo, Fabio Silva after £65million paid for the pair

Wolves are poised to adjust their recruitment strategy to focus more on English-based players this summer after three difficult transfer windows for the club.

Few of the players signed either last season or in January have made a significant impact at the club, with forward Daniel Podence – signed from Olympiakos in January 2020 – the only one to shine regularly.

Wolves finished seventh last season for the second year in a row but the best players from the Championship and sides relegated from the top flight moved to clubs who finished lower than Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the table.

Wolves are set to target more players with experience of English football from this summer

Said Benrahma (left) and Ollie Watkins (right) have successfully stepped up to the top flight

Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma joined Aston Villa and West Ham respectively from Brentford, Eberechi Eze moved to Crystal Palace from Queens Park Rangers and Abdoulaye Doucoure signed for Everton from Watford. 

All have had strong seasons and Sportsmail understands there is recognition among the technical and coaching staff that Wolves may need more English football experience in their squad next term.

Wolves have not signed a senior player from an English club since Adama Traore arrived from Middlesbrough in summer 2018. 

Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure has also performed well after moving up to the Premier League

Though Ki-Jana Hoever joined from Liverpool last summer, the 19-year-old defender had made only four first-team appearances for the Reds.

When Nuno Espirito Santo joined as manager in 2017, Wolves’ work in the Spanish and Portuguese markets was initially very impressive, thanks partly to their strong relationship with Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency. 

Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Willy Boly and Rui Patricio were among the key players to sign in the first two seasons.

Wolves want more from Fabio Silva (C) and Nelson Semedo (R) after spending £65m on pair

That record became patchier as Patrick Cutrone, Jesus Vallejo and Marcal struggled to find the form or fitness required. More will be expected of Nelson Semedo and Fabio Silva next year after Wolves committed nearly £65million on the pair.

Due to the effect of Covid-19, however, there is unlikely to be a similar level of spending – as is the case at most Premier League clubs – meaning that loan deals and part-exchanges may be the order of the day. 

There is also interest in current first-teamers Neves, Boly and Romain Saiss.




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