Predict transfers to Wolverhampton Wanderers is a risky business.

If the last few windows have taught us anything, it’s that what the head coach and even the sporting director may want, or what paying fans can clearly see as necessary, doesn’t always happen.

Recent transfer activity has been accompanied by repeated frustrations and even the occasional bizarre 180 (like signing a contract). a very talented Brazilian international midfielder summer, when strengthening this part of the workforce had never been on the agenda).

But we can summarize what the transfer priorities are and look at what could happen in the next 12 months. So here it is…

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What positions will they consider in 2025?

The immediate priority is to recruit a central defender and this search should be the main objective of the January transfer window.

It was the priority this summer after the sale of the captain Maximilian Kilman has Western Ham. However, no signing was made and following the season-ending injury suffered by Yerson Mosquethe need is even more pressing today.

Mosquera’s injury left Wolves short (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

But in a broader perspective, by 2025, in-depth work is underway to find replacements for João Gomes, Matheus Cunha And Rayan Ait-Nouri knowing that all three will likely have suitors this summer.

A successor to Nelson Semedo at right-back is also on the agenda, with the Portugal international currently set to become a free agent next summer.

Are there any players they are already watching?

Over the summer, Wolves went through a long list of potential centre-back signings and were unable to complete a deal for any of them.

Among these players, Igor Julio made five Premier League starts for Brightonit is therefore potentially now unavailable; Dara O’Shea signed for Ipswich Town; Nayef Aguerd left West Ham for Real Sociedad; David Carmo joined Nottingham Forest of Porto before being loaned to Olympiacos, and Trevoh Chalobah left Chelsea has Crystal Palace.

One of the oldest targets, the Swiss international Nico Elvediremained at Borussia Mönchengladbach and could yet re-emerge as a possibility, even though his attractive summer release clause has now expired.

Wolves could reignite their interest in Elvedi (Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Who will they be looking to sell to?

There aren’t many players the Wolves will actively look to develop, although Fabio SilvaIt is Encouraging form on loan at Las Palmas has led to a full debut for Portugal and could finally help Wolves create a market for a player who appears unlikely to play for the club again.

Goncalo Guédés It still seems likely that this will continue as well. He has been back in the fold this season, but that still seems like a short-term move for a player who never really fit in at Molineux.

But the biggest interest will be which of their marquee players the Wolves choose to cash in on at the end of the season.

With owners Fosun now determined for football operations to be self-funded, it seems inevitable that at least one of Ait-Nouri, Gomes and Cunha will be sold to generate funds for new players.

This assumes Wolves stay in the Premier League. Otherwise, many more will inevitably leave.

Cunha and Gomes are among three high-profile players who could leave in 2025 (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

What steps have they already taken?

Head coach Gary O’Neil recently explained how athletic director Matt Hobbs and the recruiting team were working hard to add a center back.

The hope is that Wolves will be able to complete their priority signing in early January, but after the frustrations of the summer, neither O’Neil nor his supporters will take anything for granted.

Who will make key decisions on both windows?

Executive Chairman Jeff Shi and owners Fosun will retain final say on overall strategy and individual deals. So while Hobbs and O’Neil can field new players they believe will benefit the team, they can only plan to use them once Shi gives them the green light.

O’Neil would do well to avoid repeating his mistake from the summer when he admitted he based his game plan for the season on the players he hoped to have but who never arrived.

Which player contracts are expiring? Who should renew?

Semedo, Craig Dawson And Pablo Sarabia all have deals that expire at the end of this season.

Wolves have a decision to make regarding Semedo (Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)

Dawson will likely be offered a new contract by the summer, while Sarabia is expected to leave at the end of his contract.

Semedo’s situation is more difficult to read. Wolves would like to keep him but, as one of their highest earners with a salary the club is no longer handing out, he would have to take a significant pay cut, making an extension difficult to accept.

What is their PSR position?

There is unlikely to be a repeat of the fire sale of summer 2023, when Wolves needed to raise significant funds to avoid PSR danger and achieved this largely thanks to the sales of Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes.

Today they are closely monitoring the PSR situation and possible financial constraints have more to do with Fosun’s desire to be self-sufficient in football matters.

What type of budget do they have?

It will depend almost entirely on who they are selling to. The days of Fosun injecting significant cash are over, so barring a change in ownership, any spending will have to be funded through sales.

(Top photos: Getty Images)