Find out who Wolves’ most expensive departures of all time are and where Max Kilman will potentially rank on the list.
Since their promotion back into the Premier League, Wolves have not been afraid to sell some of their most prized assets.
Over the years, multiple stars have left the Molineux side for big fees. However, there have also been many players who Wolves have cashed in on after a good loan spell elsewhere.
This summer, it looks as if Gary O’Neil is set to lose another highly-important player with captain Kilman likely to move to West Ham in the coming weeks.
This is set to command another big fee which is likely to be re-invested back into the Wolves squad.
As a result, Molineux News has listed Wolves’ 10 most expensive departures to see where Kilman ranks. This list only takes into account the initial fee paid for the player.
10. Leander Dendoncker
Perhaps a surprising first inclusion on this list. Belgian international Leander Dendoncker was a mainstay in the Wolves team in their first seasons in the Premier League.
With his ability to play in midfield and as a central defender, he became an excellent utility player.
However, his time at Molineux came to an end in 2022 with a shock move to local rivals Aston Villa for £13 million.
9. Rafa Mir
A player who barely made an appearance for Wolves, Rafa Mir joined the club in January 2018, making four appearances on their way to promotion.
After this, the striker never played for the club again and was sent on numerous loan spells. In the 2020/21 season, he netted 16 goals in all competitions for relegated Huesca. This resulted in Sevilla buying Mir for £13.7 million from Wolves.
8. Matt Doherty
In the Irishman’s brief spell away from the club, Matt Doherty transferred to fellow Premier League outfit Spurs on the back of another great season.
The capital side paid £15 million in August 2020 for his services before he ended up back at Molineux for free three years later.
7. Helder Costa
Once Wolves’ magic man, Helder Costa never truly recovered from his injury in the 2016/17 season.
After helping the club win promotion to the Premier League, the winger was eventually sent on loan to Leeds in the Championship.
Here, his spell was successful which resulted in a permanent transfer worth £16 million.
Read more: Wolves’ most expensive signings of all time.
6. Nathan Collins
Nathan Collins only lasted a season at Wolves, yet the club managed to make a profit.
Joining from Burnley upon their relegation in the 2021/22 campaign, the Irishman struggled to hold a place down in Wolves’ starting XI the following season.
Craig Dawson’s arrival only damaged this further and he was eventually shipped off to Brentford for £23 million in the 2023 summer transfer window.
5. Morgan Gibbs-White
Another player whose success out on loan warranted a big transfer fee. Wolves academy product Morgan Gibbs-White struggled to ever cement a place in the starting XI at the club and was often sent on loan to the Championship.
A fantastic spell at Sheffield United in the 2021/22 campaign caught the attention of newly promoted Nottingham Forest who saw a £25 million bid accepted by Wolves. However, it could potentially rise to £42.5 million through add-ons.
4. Max Kilman
Captain Kilman now looks set to leave Wolves after spending the last couple of seasons in the starting XI.
The Englishman has been wanted by former manager Julen Lopetegui throughout the summer at West Ham. Now it is believed that a £40 million fee has been agreed for Kilman, with him expected to depart.
3. Diogo Jota
Former starman Diogo Jota earned a surprising move to Liverpool back in the 2020 summer transfer window.
The Portuguese international had been central to Wolves’ recent rise up the English pyramid and had netted plenty of memorable goals.
However, in September 2020, he earned a move to Liverpool for a fee of £41 million which could rise to £45 million.
2. Ruben Neves
Easily the most heart-breaking departure. Former Wolves captain and modern-day legend Ruben Neves ended his long stay at Molineux in the 2023 summer window with a move to Saudi side Al Hilal.
The midfielder had just one year left on his contract, and with Wolves in PSR trouble, they cashed in on Neves for a fee of £47 million.
1. Matheus Nunes
Wolves’ current record departure is Matheus Nunes. Despite his first and only year at the club being an uninspiring one, Man City felt the need to splash the cash on the midfielder.
At the end of the 2023 summer window, a £53 million fee was agreed between the two clubs which saw Nunes’ short spell at Wolves come to an end.
