Gary O’Neil will be hopeful of retaining his best players this summer however, one of his Wolves favourites could still depart despite a recent plea.
Wolves will be hopeful of orchestrating a successful summer in the transfer window, as Gary O’Neil seeks reinforcements to bolster his squad.
The Old Gold ended the 2023/24 campaign in 14th as O’Neil navigated his way through the season with a squad severely lacking depth, with the upcoming transfer window crucial ahead of next term.
The boss will be hopeful of having Fosun’s backing in the summer, with incomings not the only concern at Molineux.
Several of Wolves’ top talents have been linked with moves away from the club, with the manager making his feelings clear on the future of his squad, making a plea for Nelson Semedo to stay in particular.
Nelson Semedo could still leave Wolves despite recent Gary O’Neil plea
At the end of the campaign, the boss admitted he was ‘desperate’ for the right-back to remain at Molineux amid speculation over his future.
Despite the defender being one of Wolves’ top performers over the 2023/24 campaign, there have been doubts over his stance at the club due to his wage costs and that he will soon enter the final year of his contract.
Speaking on Semedo’s future, journalist Liam Keen admitted that he believes that O’Neil’s wishes may not be met in the summer, via the E&S Wolves Podcast.
“I think he is adamant on keeping him, I just don’t know if he’ll get his wish.
“There’s no guarantee that Nelson Semedo will leave, but it’s definitely a hot topic going into the summer based on one year left, the age he’s at and the wages that he’s on.”
The Wolves expert went on to explain that the manager’s priority may not be retaining players such as Semedo, with work there to be done to rebuild his squad.
“I understand O’Neil’s point where he’s serious about keeping our best players and we’ve got to keep Nelson Semedo, I totally understand that, but is it a priority for next season? No.
“Do I think Gary O’Neil sees it as a priority, I don’t think so.”
Gary O’Neil will have a busy summer at Wolves
Signed by Wolves for a fee of £37m from Barcelona, the 2023/24 campaign was Semedo’s best at Molineux, as the player himself admitted whilst praising the work of O’Neil, who lauded the player as ‘incredible’.
Keen’s doubts over the boss’ priorities are viable, with a significant job to be done in the squad over the summer with reinforcements desperately needed.
Offloading a player with high wages would free up finances to accommodate new arrivals, with the possibility also there for Wolves to acquire a fee for the sale of Semedo, who would otherwise likely leave as a free agent next year.
It’s set to be an interesting summer for the Old Gold, with several changes expected to be made.