Opinion: Best and Worst Wolves Transfers of the Last Decade

Wolves’ transfer record over the past decade has been a rollercoaster, an eclectic mix of shrewd investments, marquee arrivals, and misguided gambles. The club’s dealings in the transfer market have played a key role in shaping its modern identity. Here are the top five best transfers and the five worst since 2015, taking into account transfer fees, players’ performance on the pitch and any profit made on them.

Wolves Transfers: Smartest Signings And Biggest Transfer Regrets

Best Transfers

5. Conor Coady – £2m From Huddersfield (2015)

Signed as a midfielder from Huddersfield Town for a fee believed to be in the region of £2 million, Coady reinvented himself as a centre-back under Nuno Espírito Santo. This move would go on to reshape his career. Coady would go on to captain the club and make 273 appearances. Coady became Wolves’ leader by setting an example both on and off the pitch, captaining the club through a promotion, Premier League highs and European nights. Although he moved on in 2022, his leadership and connection with the fans make him one of the most significant signings in the club’s recent history.

4. Diogo Jota – £12m From Atletico Madrid (2018)

Initially arriving on loan in 2017, Diogo Jota made an immediate impression. His pace, close control, and attacking intelligence were vital as Wolves dominated the Championship under Nuno. The move was made permanent in 2018 for just under £13 million. Jota thrived in Wolves’ fluid attacking system. He scored 17 goals in his first season and played a major part in the club’s qualification for the Europa League. His hat-trick against Espanyol is among his best moments. In 2020, he earned a £41 million move to Liverpool, where he would go on to win the Premier League before his untimely and tragic death.

3. Rúben Neves – £15.8m From Porto (2017)

When Wolves signed Rúben Neves from Porto in 2017, eyebrows were raised. A Champions League regular and former Porto Captain at just 18, many questioned why he would drop down to the Championship. But his decision proved wise, and his legacy at Molineux is unquestioned. In six seasons at the club, Neves became a cult hero. He dazzled fans with thunderous long-range goals, orchestrated the midfield with grace and intelligence, and led the side as captain during his final seasons. Neves made 253 appearances, scoring 27 goals and was instrumental in the club’s return to the Premier League, their European adventure, and survival in the top flight. His eventual move to Al-Hilal in 2023, for a deal worth around £47 million, was bittersweet but financially beneficial.

2. Rui Patrício – £15m From Sporting (2018)

When Wolves signed Rui Patrício in the summer of 2018, it was a clear statement of intent. A Euro 2016 winner with Portugal and a veteran of over 400 games for Sporting, Patrício brought elite-level pedigree to a newly promoted Premier League side. His decision to terminate his contract with Sporting following a training ground attack allowed Wolves to swoop in and secure one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, initially on a free transfer, but the two clubs eventually agreed on a £15 million fee. In his three seasons at Wolves, Patrício was a mainstay in goal, racking up 112 Premier League appearances and 31 clean sheets. His agility, composure, and shot-stopping were crucial in establishing Wolves as a top-flight side, helping them to secure back-to-back seventh-place finishes and a Europa League quarter-final. Although he left for Roma in 2021 in a deal worth around £10 million, his impact is still remembered by fans.

1.  João Moutinho – £5m From Monaco (2018)

At just £5million, João Moutinho might go down as one of the greatest bargain signings in Wolves’ history. The Portuguese maestro arrived at the age of 31, bringing with him an extraordinary amount of experience that included league titles, European campaigns and international honours. Despite concerns about his age, Moutinho quickly silenced any doubters. His technical brilliance, intelligent positioning, and calmness under pressure elevated the midfield to new heights. Over five years, he played 175 Premier League games and scored five goals, including a stunning effort against Manchester United, which gave Wolves their first win at Old Trafford since 1980. Moutinho’s experience was invaluable in Wolves’ journey from Premier League newcomers to European contenders.

Worst Transfers

5. Ki-Jana Hoever £9m From Liverpool (2020)

Ki-Jana Hoever was supposed to be a long-term project with high potential. At just 18, he arrived from Liverpool with plenty of promise, but unfortunately, things just never clicked. Despite flashes of technical ability, Hoever struggled defensively and showed a lack of positional discipline. He made just 20 appearances for Wolves before being loaned out to PSV and Stoke, which also didn’t work out. Questions were also raised about his attitude as former Wolves manager Bruno Lage publicly criticised his professionalism. As it stands, Hoever is still at the club and is yet to justify his sizeable transfer fee.

4. Phil Ofosu-Ayeh Free From Eintracht Braunschweig (2017)

Phil Ofosu-Ayeh is one of the most unfortunate Wolves signings of the last decade. Brought on as a free transfer early in the Fosun era, the right-back never made a single appearance for Wolves. Persistent injuries plagued his time at Molineux, keeping him sidelined for much of his contract. He was released after three years. Although the club never paid a transfer fee, the wages and resources committed to a player who couldn’t play a single minute is certainly a failed transfer.

3. Gonçalo Guedes – £27.5m From Valencia (2022)

Gonçalo Guedes arrived at Molineux with a strong resume, including experience in European football and international football at both youth and senior levels with Portugal. The winger was seen as a marquee signing who could bring creativity and goals to a side in transition. However, Guedes’ first spell at the club was deeply underwhelming. He struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, and his attitude reportedly frustrated the coaching staff. In just six months after his arrival, he was sent out on loan to Benfica and would remain there until 2024. He then made 17 appearances for Villarreal before the loan was terminated, and he returned to Wolves. During the 24/25 season, Guedes made 33 appearances in all competitions, predominantly from the bench, and scored five goals, but a deal away from the club seems likely this summer.

2. Patrick Cutrone – £23m From AC Milan (2019)

Touted as a classic number 9 with pedigree from Italian giants AC Milan, Patrick Cutrone arrived at Molineux with high expectations. However, the Italian striker never settled into the club or the country. He scored just twice in 14 appearances and was then loaned out multiple times, including underwhelming stints at Fiorentina, Valencia, and Empoli, before joining Como in Serie B for just £2million. Cutrone was a significant outlay for very little in return.

1. Fábio Silva – £35m From Porto (2020)

Wolves smashed their transfer record in 2020 when they signed teenage striker Fábio Silva from Porto for a staggering £35 million. The fee raised eyebrows from the outset as the youngster had only made 12 league appearances for Porto. While there was no denying Silva’s raw talent, the hefty price tag weighed heavily on both player and club. Thrust into the starting lineup due to Raúl Jiménez’s head injury, he would go on to score only four goals in 62 appearances, often looking physically outmatched in the Premier League.  Though still only 22 and with loan spells in Scotland, Spain and Belgium, Silva is tipped with a move away from the club this summer and currently remains one of the biggest transfer gambles in Wolves’ history.

Wolves’ transfer dealings over the past decade have played a pivotal role in shaping the club’s journey through promotions, European nights, and periods of transition. The contrasting fortunes in the market underscore the importance of clear recruitment strategies, effective squad planning, and long-term planning. As the club evolves, fans will hope that future signings bring consistency, ambition, and a return to challenging for a place in the top half of the table.