Wolves are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window, and journalist Liam Keen would be left ‘gobsmacked’ if they didn’t sign one ‘quality’ player.
Although Wolves‘ ambitions of qualifying for Europe are petering out, it’s still been a fantastic season at Molineux, led by the impressive work of Gary O’Neil.
The Wanderers were completely written off at the start of the campaign as Julen Lopetegui walked out of the job, but fast forward eight months, and O’Neil has his side comfortably sat in 11th position.
A mid-table season was welcomed for Wolves after flirting with relegation last term, and while there is little to play for in the final six games, it does mean the Old Gold can start to plan for the summer ahead.
Liam Keen would be ‘gobsmacked’ if Wolves didn’t sign ‘quality’ 22-year-old
O’Neil was left short by Fosun in the January transfer window as the club didn’t get any of their striker targets over the line.
Signing a striker this summer remains a priority, especially with the anticipated departures of Sasa Kalajdzic and Fabio Silva.
However, one player should be a priority capture for O’Neil and that is Manchester City loanee Tommy Doyle.
The 22-year-old has excelled in midfield since arriving on loan from the Etihad, with Wolves holding an option to buy the England under-21 star for £4.3 million.
Fosun would be extremely foolish not to activate such a bargain deal and journalist Liam Keen tends to agree, claiming he’d be ‘gobsmacked’ if they didn’t bring him to Molineux permanently.
Speaking on the E&S Wolves podcast, he said: “I’d be gobsmacked if they don’t. Four and a half million isn’t it, I mean it’s a tiny fee for a player of his quality, the age he’s at. Even if Wolves didn’t want him, it makes sense to sell him on for two to three times the price easily. So, absolutely no chance, in my opinion, that Wolves don’t buy him.”
Tommy Doyle should be Wolves first summer signing
O’Neil has several areas to strengthen this summer, but his priority should be getting a deal for Doyle over the line.
Following his impressive loan spell at Molineux, the Englishman won’t be short of potential suitors.
Several Premier League clubs will have seen his ability to dictate a game, despite being left out of the side in place of Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes on many occasions.
Doyle ranks in the top 11% of Premier League midfielders for passes attempted and only Manchester City’s Rodri and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold have made more accurate key passes per 90.
The midfield maestro is destined to achieve special things in the game, and O’Neil has already said he wants to capture him permanently.