Wolves fans are looking forward to seeing what the summer brings – but it looks as though there is one signing that will definitely be happening.
Gary O’Neil has had a tough first couple of windows as manager, because of the club’s precarious financial position.
Several top players needed to be offloaded last summer in order to balance the books, and the threat of breaching the PSG loss limit was very real.
Wolves recouped a lot of money in the end, and then had a quiet January. The club did target Yuri Alberto and Armando Broja at the end of the window, but finances proved too tight.
Fans would like to hope there will be a bit more freedom to spend this summer – and it looks as though one deal will already be happening…
Wolves set to complete permanent Tommy Doyle signing from Manchester City
Tommy Doyle joined Wolves at the end of the last summer window, after Matheus Nunes had moved to Manchester City.
Doyle had been a player Wolves had liked, but the interest had been shelved until the Nunes deal gave them a chance to bring him to Molineux.
Doyle had a steady start, but in recent weeks has been seeing a lot more minutes for Wolves and has really been making a solid impact in midfield.
The youngster offers something different to the likes of Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes, and fans have definitely taken to him.
It was reported last night that Wolves are now preparing to take up their option to buy Doyle, which is around £4.3 million. The Athletic quote Gary O’Neil as saying: “I would expect him to be here next year. Hopefully, we can get that done fairly quickly in the summer. I know he feels settled and I know he’s enjoying it.
“We’re delighted with how he’s done, so I don’t foresee any issues with that one being done.”
Wolves could make another Joao Moutinho-style signing with Doyle
You never quite know how signing a young player on loan will turn out – but with Doyle, it is a no-brainer that Wolves should be taking up their option to buy.
He took a bit of time to break into the team at first. He arrived without a pre-season under his belt and was also injured. Furthermore, he had two top players in front of him in Lemina and Gomes.
But he’s now shown what he is all about, and there is a potential here that Wolves could make another Joao Moutinho-style signing with the Englishman.
Moutinho was picked up for just a little bit more than what Doyle’s buy option is, at £5 million.
Like Doyle, the Portuguese was a technical midfielder, who also liked to put his foot in and be tenacious.
Moutinho is widely regarded as one of Wolves’ best ever bargains in the transfer market, and Doyle may well turn out to be something similar given his quality and potential.
The 22-year unfortunately would have that 50% sell-on clause looming over him. But Wolves may not need to worry about that for some time yet.