Wolves summer transfer window 2025: Top targets, budget, most likely signing and top priority

Wolverhampton Wanderers were already preparing for a busy summer in the transfer market before Manchester United formally announced that they were signing Matheus Cunha on Sunday.

On the back of a 16th-placed finish in the Premier League, Vitor Pereira wants to stamp his authority on the first-team squad ahead of trying to move the club towards the mid-table positions next season.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how Wolves may approach the summer transfer window and who their targets may be.

Top targets

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As it stands, it is unclear who Wolves have identified as potential options for this squad with the pursuit of several Velez Sarsfield prospects currently most documented.

That said, there is a long-standing interest in Corinthians attacker Yuri Alberto, who Wolves wanted even before the arrival of one of his former head coaches in Pereira.

Whether a move comes to fruition remains to be seen, but Cunha's switch to Old Trafford means that Wolves are in the market for versatile players who are capable of playing as a number 10.

Wolves may soon be having to move for a new left wing-back, too, with Manchester City seemingly upping their interest in Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Another central midfielder, centre-forward and potentially two new full-backs could be arriving at Molineux at a time when a wide array of departures are expected to take place.

Budgets

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While Pereira will have money to spend this summer, it should not be assumed that he will have a considerable transfer warchest courtesy of Cunha's exit and Ait-Nouri's likely departure.

In the region of £40m to £45m was spent on three fresh faces during the winter transfer window, while Wolves are exercising their €30m (£25.3m) to sign Celta Vigo loanee Jorgen Strand Larsen this summer.

The money from Cunha's sale is coming through three instalments, essentially meaning that Wolves will only receive just over £20m this summer, and 50% of any transfer fee generated for Ait-Nouri will be going to his former club Angers.

As a result, determining Wolves' budget is a complex process, but they recouped over £100m through player sales during the previous two transfer windows.

Furthermore, parting ways with three big-earners could see approximately £200,000 per week saved on the wage bill, providing Wolves with considerable room for manoeuvre.

Most likely signings

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This is something that is yet to be determined and Wolves may not be in any rush to complete any incomings when they are currently negotiating the sale of Ait-Nouri to Man City.

However, Pereira has indicated that he has identified unnamed Portuguese players to potentially add to the squad, to complement the Portuguese-speaking and Brazilian contingent at the club.

Priority positions

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Wolves are facing the reality of having to make significant additions in four areas of the pitch: Both wing-back positions, at least one number 10 and a centre-forward.

Nelson Semedo's quality and experience will need replacing at right-back, as will the goals and assists that come from Ait-Nouri on the other side of the pitch.

They are arguably as important as replacing the contribution of Cunha and strengthening other areas such as central-midfield may be put on the backburner.

On the flip side, Pereira has previously encouraged Wolves to be proactive in their efforts to strengthen his squad, and seeing Semedo, Ait-Nouri and Cunha depart Molineux in quick succession will only embolden his stance on that matter.

Written by
Darren Plant