Head coach Gary O'Neil has revealed what kind of players Wolverhampton Wanderers will be targeting during the remainder of the summer transfer window.
Up until Friday, the West Midlands outfit had enjoyed a solid period in the market, conducting some early business to acquire the services of Pedro Lima, Rodrigo Gomes and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Wolves also had money in the bank courtesy of the sale of Max Kilman to West Ham United for £40m, but they are now on the brink of losing their most prized asset.
Chelsea have agreed to pay £54m to sign Pedro Neto, with the winger having already had a medical ahead of being unveiled in front of the Stamford Bridge crowd when the Blues face Inter Milan on Sunday.
Although Wolves did not want or have to cash in on the Portugal international, O'Neil now has a substantial war chest at his disposal for the next three weeks.
© Reuters
What is O'Neil looking for?
While Wolves have been credited with an interest in Ajax's Carlos Forbs and Porto's Galeno over the past 24 hours, O'Neil has suggested that he and Matt Hobbs are taking a different approach.
In an interview after Wolves lost to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday afternoon, the Englishman said that players with Premier League experience are his preference.
Speaking to the club's official website, O'Neil said: "Me and Matt [Hobbs] have spoken a lot about what we're trying to do, trying to get players in who can help us with the money we've received, and hopefully we can help this group now, because they're in a good spot, they're giving everything, but the Premier League is tough.
"We've signed a lot of young players and hopefully we can sign a few that can help us in the here and now, as long as some more young ones. As a club, we try to sign ones who are going to add value to the football club, Rodrigo and Pedro especially, they're ones who have real talent, but also have a [resale] value.
"But we do need to do some who are ready now and have played in the Premier League and know what it's all about because it is going to be a tough test. We need to make sure we get it right, we need to make sure that I get the team right, and I'm really looking forward to the season, but there is still some work to do between now and the end of August."
© Reuters
Why O'Neil has a point
Given the number of loanees that have returned to the squad, O'Neil already possesses a strong group even if a new centre-back and Neto replacement are high on the agenda.
However, Wolves are lacking proven British and Irish Premier League outfield players below the age of 30, with Tommy Doyle the only one to fit that criteria.
Matt Doherty and Craig Dawson are now 32 and 34 respectively, no longer commanding a regular place in the team, and O'Neil may now look to sign at least one player who can make a difference in the starting lineup.
Darren Plant
