Wolves’ January 2024 transfer window was crucial in their efforts to avoid relegation from the Premier League, with the club making key additions that could prove decisive in their survival battle. After a difficult period in which Fosun, the club’s owners, had not provided sufficient backing to former manager Gary O’Neil, this window marked a significant shift as Vitor Pereira, the new head coach, had his demands answered. Wolves brought in three important signings: central defensive midfielder Marshall Munetsi, centre-back Nasser Djiga, and the promising Emmanuel Agbadou. In addition to these reinforcements, they also secured an extension to Matheus Cunha’s contract, a vital move that ensured one of their most talented players would remain at the club despite potential interest from elsewhere.
The acquisitions of Munetsi and Djiga were particularly important given Wolves’ struggles defensively, and it was clear that addressing their defensive weaknesses was the top priority. The club’s most significant issue this season had been their leaky defense, which had left them vulnerable in several matches. By bringing in Munetsi, a solid defensive midfielder, and Djiga, a central defender with the potential to improve their backline, Wolves were taking concrete steps to strengthen the spine of the team. These additions, combined with the retention of Cunha and the continued presence of other important players like Rayan Ait-Nouri, provided much-needed stability and reassurance for both the squad and the fans.
Despite the triple arrival, Wolves did miss out on several targets. The club had been linked with Conor Coady, a former player, as well as Kevin Danso and Manu Silva. While Bailey doesn’t view these as massive losses, particularly in the case of Danso and Coady, he does express some disappointment over missing out on Silva, believing that he could have added quality to the squad. However, Bailey argues that the players Wolves did bring in were more than sufficient to address their most pressing needs, particularly in defense.
Another pivotal moment during the window was Wolves’ decision to extend Cunha’s contract through 2029. Cunha had been a key figure for the club, and his retention was a huge boost for both the squad and the fans. Bailey points out that Cunha’s continued presence at Molineux was essential for the club’s ambitions, especially in a season where their primary goal was survival. The fact that Cunha was not sold, despite rumors and interest from other clubs, sent a positive message to the squad, showing that the club was committed to their efforts to stay in the Premier League. Bailey contrasts Cunha with players from other clubs in similar relegation battles, such as Leicester and Ipswich, suggesting that no other club has a player of Cunha’s quality, making his retention even more significant for Wolves’ chances of survival.
As for Fosun’s backing, Bailey notes that while their support this January was better than their failure to back O’Neil last year, it’s still uncertain whether it will be enough to win over the fans. The question of whether the board has redeemed themselves remains open, as the fans are likely still cautious after the previous transfer window’s frustrations. However, Bailey also highlights that the support for Vitor Pereira has been more substantial than what O’Neil received, and there’s now clear pressure on Pereira to ensure Premier League survival.
In terms of relegation clauses, Bailey notes that it’s almost certain that many Wolves players will have clauses in their contracts that would trigger in the event of relegation. This could have financial implications for the club as they look to navigate a potential drop to the Championship.
Looking ahead to Wolves’ chances of survival, Bailey is optimistic, stating that they now have a much stronger chance of staying in the Premier League than they did before the window closed. He argues that their squad, with the new additions, is solid enough to avoid the drop. As for their relegation rivals, Bailey believes the battle for survival has narrowed down to three clubs—Wolves, Ipswich Town, and Leicester City. He dismisses Southampton as already relegated and suggests that Ipswich, while showing ambition, are still quite a way off Wolves in terms of squad quality. He also notes that Leicester, despite having a talented squad, failed to back their manager sufficiently, which could prove costly in the long run. Bailey believes that Leicester’s lack of spending and ambition in the transfer market could actually work in Wolves’ favor, giving them an edge in the survival battle.
In conclusion, while Wolves’ January transfer window wasn’t perfect, it certainly made the necessary changes to strengthen the team. With Pereira now having the tools to fix the club’s defensive issues, the retention of Cunha, and the arrival of new signings, Wolves are in a stronger position to avoid relegation. However, with the club still sitting just outside the relegation zone, the final stretch of the season will be critical. Wolves’ survival will depend on how quickly the new signings integrate and whether they can consistently perform at the required level. Given the competitive nature of the relegation battle, every point will be vital, and Wolves will need to ensure they capitalize on the improvements made in January to secure their Premier League status.
Do you think Wolves have done enough to stay in the Premier League, or will they need further reinforcements come the summer?