🐺 Gonçalo Guedes at a Crossroads: What His Uncertain Future Says About Wolves’ Summer Strategy
As Wolverhampton Wanderers prepare to face Girona in their latest pre-season fixture this weekend, the story dominating headlines isn’t just the match itself — it’s the increasingly complex situation surrounding Gonçalo Guedes. Once heralded as a marquee signing for the club, the Portuguese international now finds himself at the heart of an ongoing transfer saga that raises pressing questions about his future, Wolves’ squad planning, and how the club intends to shape the 2025 campaign.
Having been placed on the transfer list earlier this summer, many expected Guedes to be one of the first high-profile departures from Molineux during the current window. Yet as of August 1st, not only is he still a Wolves player — he’s scoring goals, traveling with the team, and smiling in training, presenting a narrative far more layered than initially anticipated.
🇵🇹 A Complicated Relationship: Guedes and Wolves
When Gonçalo Guedes arrived at Wolves in the summer of 2022 for a reported £27.5 million from Valencia, expectations were sky-high. A player who had starred in La Liga and with Portugal, Guedes was seen as a statement signing — one who could add flair, directness, and versatility to Wolves’ forward line.
But his time in the Premier League has been anything but straightforward. Despite flashes of brilliance, his first season was riddled with inconsistency, minor injuries, and tactical mismatches under both Bruno Lage and Julen Lopetegui. He was loaned out to Benfica midway through the 2022–23 season, and while he showed promise there, injury struck again, derailing his momentum.
Upon returning to Wolves last year, Guedes found himself on the fringes of Gary O’Neil’s system — not quite a winger in the traditional sense, not quite a forward with the physicality of a number nine, and not defensively reliable enough to play as a wing-back. It’s this positional ambiguity, combined with recurring fitness concerns, that led to Wolves’ decision to explore options for his sale.
Yet here we are, weeks into pre-season, and Guedes is still very much in the picture.
✈️ Signs of a Stay: Goals, Travel, and Social Media Hints
Despite widespread reports that Guedes is in advanced talks with Real Sociedad, the 28-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI during Wolves’ recent 3-1 defeat to RC Lens. More surprisingly, he got on the scoresheet — showing the kind of attacking instincts and sharp finishing that once made him one of Europe’s most coveted young forwards.
Just days later, Guedes was pictured flying to Spain with the Wolves squad ahead of their match against Girona. On Instagram, he shared a photo of himself smiling next to Toti Gomes — a subtle but clear message: he’s still part of this team. For a player supposedly on the verge of leaving, these signs point to a very different reality.
Most clubs, when close to finalizing a transfer, will pull the player from first-team activities. The fact that Guedes continues to train, travel, and play suggests that — at least as of now — a move is not imminent, and Wolves may be reassessing his value to the squad.
🎙️ “I Want to Prove Myself” – A Change in Attitude?
In a rare and candid interview with Wolves’ official media team last week, Guedes spoke positively about his future at the club. While he didn’t explicitly say he wanted to stay, the tone of the conversation was notably optimistic — with mentions of “redemption,” “unfinished business,” and a desire to finally show what he’s capable of in the Premier League.
Reports from within the club have also indicated that Guedes has looked “happy and sharp in training”, and that he’s been integrating well with teammates — particularly fellow Portuguese internationals like Toti, Pedro Neto, and Matheus Cunha.
This is a crucial shift. Guedes has often been labeled as enigmatic — a player whose body language sometimes betrays frustration or disengagement. But the Guedes showing up this pre-season appears different: motivated, hungry, and perhaps even grateful for another chance.
📊 Squad Analysis: Can Wolves Afford to Let Guedes Go?
Wolves’ current squad makeup complicates the decision to sell Guedes. While his past performances may not have justified his transfer fee or wages, the cold truth is that Wolves are desperately light on attacking options.
🔻 Current Forwards:
Jørgen Strand Larsen – Promising but still adapting; can’t shoulder the load alone.
Hwang Hee-chan – Energetic but inconsistent; better as a secondary forward or wide attacker.
Pedro Neto – When fit, arguably the team’s best player, but injury-prone.
Matheus Cunha – Technically gifted but lacks end product as a No. 9.
Gonçalo Guedes – Versatile, experienced, and currently match-fit.
Unless Wolves are prepared to make at least two forward signings, offloading Guedes would leave the team dangerously exposed — particularly with a demanding Premier League schedule and domestic cup competitions on the horizon.
💸 Financial Factors: Wages, Value, and Timing
Of course, Guedes’ high wages and diminishing market value also play a role. With only two years left on his contract, this summer might be Wolves’ last real chance to recoup a decent transfer fee for the player. A move to Real Sociedad or a return to Portugal would ease the wage bill and potentially allow the club to reinvest in younger talent.
However, Wolves must ask themselves: is the financial relief worth the sporting risk?
Unless there’s a proven replacement lined up — someone who can contribute immediately — the short-term gain of offloading Guedes could lead to a long-term loss in form, depth, and tactical flexibility.
🧠 Tactical Fit: Is There a Role for Guedes in Gary O’Neil’s System?
One of the most overlooked aspects of this debate is tactical fit. Gary O’Neil prefers a 3-4-2-1 or 4-3-3 setup with high-pressing forwards who can interchange fluidly. While Guedes struggled to adapt to this last season, his current form and renewed energy suggest he might be more suited than before.
He’s most effective when allowed to drift in from the left, attack space between the lines, and operate just behind the main striker. In a front three with Neto and Strand Larsen, Guedes could thrive if given freedom and confidence.
Furthermore, he offers something few others in the squad do: experience in European competition, tactical intelligence, and the ability to change games in moments. These attributes shouldn’t be discarded lightly.
⚠️ Wolves Must Avoid Repeating Past Mistakes
Wolves have a history of offloading players too quickly without securing adequate replacements — Morgan Gibbs-White, Diogo Jota, and even Adama Traoré are examples where the club arguably lost attacking edge too soon. Letting Guedes go now, with the squad thin and the market inflated, could be another misstep unless handled with precision.
If Wolves do plan to sell Guedes, they must act decisively to bring in a replacement — ideally one who is Premier League-ready, fits O’Neil’s system, and can make an impact right away.
Names like Youssef En-Nesyri, Iliman Ndiaye, or Loïs Openda have been linked in the past — but without concrete movement, Wolves can’t afford to gamble.
⏳ Conclusion: A Decision Wolves Cannot Rush
Gonçalo Guedes’ situation is more than just a transfer dilemma — it’s a symbol of Wolves’ broader challenges this summer: balancing financial prudence with squad depth, trusting in talent versus betting on change, and learning from past mistakes while trying to evolve.
He may have underwhelmed in the past, but Guedes remains a talented, experienced player who could yet play a vital role in the season ahead. If Wolves let him go now without adequate cover, they risk entering the 2025 campaign underprepared and overstretched.
For now, Guedes continues to train, play, and score for Wolves — and unless a compelling offer arrives, perhaps the smart move is not to sell, but to believe.