Since Fosun International arrived at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2016, it is fair to say that there has been an influx of Portuguese players. It is more of a surprise when Wolves do not sign a player from that particular country.
From what we can make out, and please forgive us if we are wrong because there are a lot, as many as 30 Portuguese players, whether that be for the first team or academy, have arrived at Molineux. Ten of those additions are currently present in the senior squad for 2022-23.
However, that may be about to change. If reports are to be believed, new head coach Julen Lopetegui wants to add more British and domestic-based players to his group during the January transfer window.
Wolves are not in a position where they are going to sign an established England international. They are also unlikely to spend big on a player below that level, particularly given the expected future outlay on Matheus Cunha, while potential relegation rivals will have no interest in strengthening a team who want to overtake them.
With that in mind, Sports Mole takes a look at five potential British, Irish or domestic-based signings that Wolves could make at the turn of the year.
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During 2021-22, Craig Dawson enjoyed arguably his best season as a professional, making 50 appearances in all competitions as he helped West Ham United earn another year of European football as well as aiding their efforts in progressing to the Europa League semi-finals.
However, towards the end of the summer transfer window, it was widely reported that Dawson, a former West Bromwich Albion defender, could sign for Wolves on deadline day.
The transfer ultimately fell through. West Ham watched their preferred replacement Jan Bednarek sign for Aston Villa, and it led to all parties settling on the 32-year-old remaining at the London Stadium.
While Dawson has since made seven starts and two substitute outings this campaign, he started each of the three defeats to Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Leicester City prior to the World Cup break.
With David Moyes needing to facilitate outgoings to make his own additions and Wolves requiring an experienced centre-back, it would come as no surprise if this transfer was revisited over the coming weeks.
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Since Matt Doherty departed Wolves for Tottenham Hotspur in 2020, there has always been talk of the right-sided full-back making a return to a club where he has already achieved legend status.
The Republic of Ireland international has gone on to make 66 appearances for Spurs without really making an impact, and there is scope for a departure in January.
At a time when Antonio Conte already has three wing-backs for that side of the pitch at his disposal, Spurs continue to be linked with others ahead of 2023.
Spurs also hold a long-standing interest in Wolves winger Adama Traore, who has just over six months remaining on his contract and little interest in penning fresh terms.
With Wolves moving for Cunha, Lopetegui may be more open to parting ways with Traore if he can strengthen in other areas of the pitch, and a straight deal for Doherty or part-exchange proposal involving Traore should not be ruled out.
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Before the World Cup break, Aaron Wan-Bissaka played just four minutes for Manchester United, that solitary substitute outing coming back in August.
However, despite it being widely reported that the right-back is available for transfer, he featured against Burnley in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, chipping in with an assist in a 2-0 win and seemingly impressing Erik ten Hag.
The United boss has now suggested that he wants the 25-year-old to stay at the club, yet much could depend on the offers that United receive at the midway point of the campaign.
Wolves have already been linked with Wan-Bissaka and the former Crystal Palace man would almost certainly command a regular spot on the right-hand side of Lopetegui's defence.
Whether it is a permanent basis or a loan move while accommodating big wages, the financial outlay would be more than any potential move for Doherty, and much may depend on Lopetegui's preferences for a full-back and how funds will be allocated elsewhere.
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There was a time when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would only consider a move to clubs competing in Europe or for silverware, but times have changed for a player who is now 29 years of age.
While a hamstring injury has restricted the midfielder to just 119 minutes of football spread across four appearances this season, Oxlade-Chamberlain has not been regarded as a first-choice pick by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp since 2019-20.
With just over six months remaining on his contract, the parties are in line to go their separate ways in the summer, and the current situation will inevitably result in many English clubs taking an interest.
Albeit under a different head coach and technical director, Wolves have been linked with Oxlade-Chamberlain in the past, and an injection of pace from a player who can feature as the most advanced of a midfield three would go someway to replacing the energy lost by the sale of Morgan Gibbs-White in August.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's wage demands and desire to play for a more established Premier League club may lead to neither the player or Wolves feeling that a January transfer is the right move, yet Wolves do not have many British alternatives available if they wish to sign a player of the former England international's attributes.
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While you may feel that we are cheating a little here, we argue that we are not. Harry Souttar may have just starred for Australia in the World Cup, facing the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, but this is a player very much at home in British football.
Souttar was born in Scotland and has spent his career playing in the Scottish Premiership and EFL, the bulk of his matches coming for Fleetwood Town and Stoke City.
Having spent over a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, Souttar has been a welcome addition back in the Potters XI and for his country, leading to his reputation being enhanced ahead of January.
Although Stoke are in a strong position with regards to his future due to the player possessing a contract until 2025, club officials also know that the time is now if they wish to generate a substantial transfer fee for a player who has emerged as their most prized asset over the space of a few weeks.
All things considered, Wolves are now a poor team in the air due to the departure of Leander Dendoncker in the summer and Raul Jimenez's limitations, and the 6ft 6in frame of Souttar would go some way to bolstering Wolves' efforts when it comes to defending crosses and set pieces.
Darren Plant
