Posted on by

Player Julen Lopetegui wanted to sign for Wolves, who now top the entire Premier League

Player Julen Lopetegui wanted to sign for Wolves, who now top the entire Premier League

Wolves have had a difficult time in the transfer windows of late, with financial constraints setting the tone.

The summer of 2023 was a particularly difficult time for Old Gold, with Julen Lopetegui leaving the club due to a lack of financial support and PSR pressure.

The former Wolves manager saw a host of players being sold to generate cash, but not all of them were adequately replaced, causing concern ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Gary O’Neil came in and ensured his depleted squad stayed in the top flight last season. However, the Englishman suffered a similar fate this summer as not every position could be filled.

Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Wolves were interested in signing Joao Neves

Like any club, Wolves have been linked with a variety of top talent over the years, with several rumored targets becoming World Cup winners.

One example was 2023 target Viktor Gyokeres, who Sky Sports reported the Old Gold was “leading the race” to sign from Coventry City.

The Midlands club were without the striker, who has since scored 55 goals in 61 appearances for Sporting CP.

The Swedish talisman wasn’t the only star name Lopetegui’s side have been linked with this summer, as reports in Portugal suggested Wolves were admirers of Joao Neves.

A report from A Bola, carried by Sport Witness at the time, claimed that the Premier League side were “interested” in the former Benfica midfielder alongside Bayern Munich.

Neves eventually signed for Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024 and has since shown form that may have left Wolves wondering what might have been had they secured his signature.

Neves tops the charts in Europe

At just 20 years old, Neves needed no time to settle into his new surroundings in Paris.

The midfielder is leaving others in Europe red-faced and no one in the Premier League or Europe’s top five leagues can match the young player’s numbers.

In a feature documenting the top chance makers in Europe’s elite leagues, CIES highlighted the brilliance of the former Wolves target.

Neves tops the charts as the best chance creator in Europe, with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer just behind the 20-year-old.

Notable figures whose performance is below Lopetegui’s target at Molineux include Bukayo Saka, Mohammed Salah and, more globally, Lionel Messi in the MLS.

It is unknown whether Wolves were ever able to lure Neves to the West Midlands. However, the interest in the summer of 2023 will have the Old Golds wishing they could turn back the clock.

Related topics