Wolves are set to land a windfall after Southampton reached the Championship play-off final on Friday night.
In Gary O’Neil’s first nine months at the helm, Wolves have enjoyed an excellent campaign.
The Wanderers reached an FA Cup quarter-final and for long periods of the season were embroiled in a battle for promotion. That was until their squad fell apart due to injuries and fatigue set in.
A run of just one win in Premier League matches points towards O’Neil’s depleted squad burning out in the latter stages, and to stop this from happening again, he needs Fosun to invest this summer.
Unfortunately, the manager’s prospects in the way of investment don’t sound too promising, with the 41-year-old accepting that the club may need to sell to buy this summer.
It hasn’t been said how much the Wanderers have to spend but they have just received a sum of money after Southampton booked their place at Wembley.
Wolves set for windfall after Southampton beat West Brom
Southampton thrashed West Brom 3-0 in the second leg to book their ticket to the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
A second-half strike from Will Smallbone and a brace from Adam Armstrong means they’ll face Leeds United with a place in the Premier League at stake.
This is news that has financial implications for Wolves. As reported by journalist Nathan Judah, Saints beating the Baggies on Friday night is set to land the Wanderers an extra £5.15 million.
With two of the three clubs coming up being Leicester and Leeds/Southampton, it saves the Premier League £103 million in parachute payments if West Brom were to reach the promised land.
Instead, that large sum of money is dished among the 20 sides in next season’s competition, with Wolves profiting from their rivals’ downfall.
Fosun must back Gary O’Neil this summer
Given the money that gets thrown around these days in football, £5.15 million isn’t a large sum, but landing extra cash following West Brom’s defeat only reinforces one thing.
Fosun must back O’Neil in the transfer window or – like what happened with Julen Lopetegui – he risks losing him.
O’Neil is the best thing that has happened to Wolves in a long time and if he is given the resources this summer, he can drag the Wanderers towards Europe.
However, if the owner is reluctant to dip his hands in his pockets, not only does he risk leaving his side behind, but their talented boss may have no choice other than to walk out of Molineux.
That is a scenario Wolves dread, and it can be avoided if ambition is shown this summer.