Tim Spiers has suggested that Wolves might have to sell a big name this summer if they are to be in a position to spend big at the same time.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have made a name for themselves with the work they have done bringing in relatively cheap Portuguese players into the fold, but things have taken something of a turn in recent years with big-money signings such as 18-year-old Fabio Silva for £35m last summer. Part of that was funded by the sales of players like Diogo Jota and Matt Doherty to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
And speaking on the latest edition of The Molineux View podcast, Spiers thinks that it’s either going to have to be back to cheap deals again, or selling a big-name player in order to fund bringing in another one.
He said: “The summer spend, I know they spent about £80m, but they recouped about £80m as well, it was a very low net spend. I’d expect more of the same this year, [I’m] interested to see who they’re going to sell, really, because I feel like they’ll have to make a big sale if they want to invest more in the team.
“I can’t see them spending £100m this summer and not selling anybody, and that would be extremely risky. I just can’t see that happening. They’re gonna have to rely on [Jorge] Mendes to get them a couple of bargains, the loans-to-buy that have been so successful over the past few years.”
Would you be open to Wolves selling Ruben Neves next summer?
No, he needs to stay
Yes, he should go
TIF Thoughts on Tim Spiers’ comments about Wolverhampton Wanderers and their spending…
Whilst Transfermarkt has the fees at £74.52m spent and £71.28m received this past summer, the overall point that Spiers makes is a valid one. With Wolves, like many other clubs likely to take a financial hit this season for a number of factors, including from not playing in Europe this campaign, they are going to have to be careful when it comes to how they operate.
And if they want to get back to where they have been for the past two seasons straight away – challenging for Europe and finishing high in the league – then they may need to bring in that one big-name player to help them compete once more.
But whether or not they take the financial gamble of doing it outright, or softening the blow by selling off one of their own will have to be seen. Because it’s either that or slow and methodical by going back to the old ways.