Wolves continue to be one of the Premier League’s busiest clubs during the January transfer window.
The Old Gold have already made one signing. Emmanuel Agbadou joined Wolves on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Stade Reims and made his debut against Bristol City in the FA Cup.
Capturing the Ivorian defender won’t be the only business Wolves’ owners do this month though. Still on the lookout for another centre-back to help bolster Vitor Pereira’s options, Wolves have also been linked with Chelsea’s Renato Veiga.
It isn’t just incomings fans can expect more of though. The Midlands giants could also bid farewell to one of their most experienced players.
Having failed to start a single game under Pereira, Pablo Sarabia, now way down the side’s pecking order, is nearly the end of his time at Molineux.
There’s a catch though…
The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and at the age of 32 as well as playing a limited role, will not be offered a renewal.
Consequently, now eligible to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of England, according to Portuguese journalist Luis Pinto Coelho, the Spanish midfielder ‘is in negotiations’ to join Celta Vigo.
However, given his contract situation, its fair to assume Sarabia wouldn’t move until the end of the season.
Due to Claudio Giraldez Gonzalez’s side showing an early interest, fans will expect the former Paris Saint-Germain star to move back to his home country within the next six months as he approaches the twilight of his career.
Vitor Pereira will target new midfielders in summer
Although there is still scope for Wolves to sign a new midfielder this month, especially if Mario Lemina completes a transfer to Al Shabab, Pereira will already have one eye on the summer window.
Always more lively, the summer transfer window often presents opportunities the mid-season window doesn’t, and assuming the Wolves manager has the defenders he wants by then, will turn his attention to midfield.
Pereira is already considering bringing a new Number 10 to Wolves — an exciting prospect for the club, who will be determined to retain their top-flight status as they aim to start next season better than they did this one.
Wolves return to Premier League action on Wednesday night with a tough trip to European hopefuls Newcastle United.
Wolves are riding high after clinching a 2-1 victory over Bristol City in the FA Cup, advancing into a fourth-round tie against Blackburn Rovers.
As the Wanderers are currently level on points with the bottom three, it could be a make or period in the fight for survival, and they’ve been tipped to get off to a bad start.
Chris Sutton predicts Newcastle to beat Wolves 3-0, with many in gold looking to prove him wrong, including those who are returning.
The Portuguese tactician has also been without Nelson Semedo, Toti Gomes and Craig Dawson; three players who are crucial to his defence.
However, Pereira did supply a positive injury update ahead of Newcastle, revealing that Cunha, Semedo, Dawson and Mario Lemina are all fit to return.
There is a guarantee that Cunha will start at St James’ Park, although the other changes aren’t clear-cut, with several players flourishing recently.
For instance, Rodrigo Gomes caused havoc against Bristol City in the absence of Semedo while Pedro Lima impressed on his Premier League debut.
Sam Johnstone made his first start under Pereira at the weekend, replacing Jose Sa between the sticks.
Pereira will likely revert to starting Sa in goal against Newcastle, though, as the Portuguese shot-stopper has impressed in recent weeks.
The back three could remain the same in truth, with Matt Doherty on the right, Santi Bueno in the middle and on the left new signing Emmanuel Agbadou who impressed vs Bristol City.
Wolves fans called for Hwang Hee-chan to be sold after his shocking performance at Ashton Gate, and the £14m man will be replaced by the returning Cunha who has 14 goal involvements this term.
Meanwhile, Jorgen Strand Larsen is guaranteed to start alongside the Brazilian with Goncalo Guedes making up the front three.
Wolves (3-4-3): Sa; Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou; R. Gomes, Gomes, Andre, Ait-Nouri; Guedes, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Pablo Sarabia’s future at Wolves is uncertain due to his limited playing time under manager Gary O’Neil, not Viktor Pereira. Sarabia, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to Sevilla, with the Spanish club reportedly interested in signing him .
Sarabia has struggled to establish himself in Wolves’ starting lineup, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde preferred over him. This lack of playing time has led to speculation that Sarabia may seek a move away from Molineux, with Sevilla a potential destination .
Wolves, however, are reluctant to let Sarabia go, at least not until his contract expires. The club is aware that Sevilla can sign Sarabia for free in the summer, but Wolves are holding out for a transfer fee .
It’s worth noting that Sarabia’s situation is complicated by his high wages, reportedly £90,000 per week, making him Wolves’ top earner . This could make it difficult for Wolves to find a suitable buyer for Sarabia, especially if they’re looking to recoup a significant transfer fee.