Wolves at a Crossroads: Nelson Semedo’s Uncertain Future and the Rise of Georgios Vagiannidis
As the summer transfer window heats up, Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves facing a major decision that could shape the identity of the club for years to come. At the heart of the dilemma is the future of Nelson Semedo — club captain, defensive stalwart, and a player who has embodied consistency through years of transition at Molineux. With Semedo now officially a free agent following the expiry of his contract on June 30, Wolves are navigating an uncomfortable period of uncertainty.
While the club have tabled a new four-year contract, it remains unsigned, and with growing interest from other clubs across Europe, time is ticking. Wolves manager Vitor Pereira, who is preparing for his first full season in charge, is known to value structure and clarity — and Semedo’s indecision leaves a gaping hole in both his tactical blueprint and leadership group.
Though Wolves are clear in their desire to keep Semedo, the club’s recruitment team is also realistic. Plans are already being put in place to identify potential replacements should the Portuguese international choose to move on. One name that has rapidly risen to the top of the shortlist is Georgios Vagiannidis — a highly rated right-back from Greek giants Panathinaikos, who could represent not just a replacement, but a strategic upgrade for the long term.
Semedo: A Trusted Figure at a Turning Point
It’s important to recognize what Nelson Semedo has meant to Wolves since his arrival from Barcelona in 2020. Signed for a then club-record fee of £27 million, Semedo brought pedigree, professionalism, and an elite footballing education to Molineux. Over the course of five seasons, he grew from an inconsistent presence into a fan favourite — offering both defensive stability and attacking thrust down the right flank.
Last season, Semedo arguably played his best football for the club. Operating as a wing-back in a fluid 3-4-3 system, he consistently bombed up and down the touchline, connecting play in the final third and using his experience to manage transitions. His leadership qualities emerged more prominently, culminating in him captaining the side on several occasions.
Yet football is a game of evolution. At 31, Semedo is not getting any younger, and Wolves — with one eye on sustainability — must weigh the value of loyalty and experience against the long-term demands of the Premier League.
With no signature on the contract and silence from the player’s camp, Wolves cannot afford to sit idle.
Wolves’ Replacement Strategy: A Multi-Pronged Search
Recognising the risk of losing Semedo, Wolves have already started working through a list of alternative options. Reports suggest the club has held exploratory talks with Almeria regarding Marc Pubill, a young Spanish right-back with promise. Jeremy Toljan, who has rebuilt his career at Sassuolo, is also being monitored. Kyle Walker-Peters, the versatile and technically adept Southampton full-back, remains an outside shot — but his Premier League experience makes him a tempting target.
However, the most intriguing and forward-looking candidate is undoubtedly Georgios Vagiannidis.
Who Is Georgios Vagiannidis?
A product of the Panathinaikos academy, Vagiannidis has steadily developed into one of Greece’s brightest talents. At just 23 years old, he has already made nearly 100 senior appearances and played a key role in Panathinaikos’ 2023/24 campaign, featuring in 39 matches across domestic and European competitions.
Vagiannidis’s style of play is reflective of the modern full-back archetype. He is quick, direct, and attack-minded, often overlapping on the right to deliver dangerous crosses or cutbacks. He possesses impressive stamina, capable of making repeat sprints throughout the game — a vital trait for the wing-back position in Vitor Pereira’s high-tempo, transitional system.
Despite playing in a less-watched league, Vagiannidis has caught the eye of scouts across Europe. His form last season has seen him linked with Sporting CP, Everton, and now Wolves. In fact, Sporting have already had a £10 million bid rejected, with Panathinaikos holding out for closer to £13 million — a figure that, while significant, still represents good business for a player of his age and profile.
Playing Style and Tactical Fit
When analyzing how Vagiannidis fits into Wolves’ system, it’s clear that he would not be a like-for-like replacement for Semedo — but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Where Semedo excels with his positional awareness and calm distribution under pressure, Vagiannidis offers more verticality and directness. He likes to carry the ball forward, stretch defences, and combine quickly in the final third. This suits Pereira’s approach, which leans heavily on wing-backs to provide both width and penetration, often pinning back opposing full-backs and opening lanes for inverted forwards.
A comparison with current Wolves players shows that Vagiannidis could slot into the right wing-back role without much adjustment. His aggression, athleticism, and attacking instincts give Wolves the ability to hurt teams down the flank — especially when paired with dynamic forwards like Pedro Neto or Matheus Cunha.
Vagiannidis vs Semedo: By the Numbers
Data from FBref gives us a fascinating comparison between the two players, adjusted per 90 minutes:
Metric Vagiannidis (23) Semedo (31)
Progressive Carries 2.25 2.09
Successful Take-ons 1.31 1.00
Final Third Entries Higher Lower
Duels Won More per game Fewer per game
Tackles per game Lower Higher
Ball Recoveries Lower Higher
What Does This Tell Us?
Offensive Strength: Vagiannidis is more aggressive going forward, with superior numbers in dribbles, carries, and progressive entries. He thrives in transition and supports attacking play with more consistency.
Defensive Solidity: Semedo retains the edge when it comes to reading danger and regaining possession. His experience is evident in his ball recoveries and positional play.
Potential vs. Experience: Semedo is a finished product. Vagiannidis still has room to grow, but his current trajectory suggests he could surpass Semedo’s peak levels if given time and guidance.
The Bigger Picture: Wolves’ Transfer Identity
This potential move also speaks volumes about Wolves’ evolving recruitment strategy. With financial constraints and an increasing emphasis on resale value, signing a 23-year-old international who is yet to hit his ceiling aligns perfectly with the club’s philosophy.
Rather than overspending on proven Premier League players with limited resale value, Wolves are returning to their roots — identifying emerging talent in under-scouted markets, much like they did with players such as Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota, and Pedro Neto.
Vagiannidis offers both value and upside — and that’s exactly what Wolves need right now.
Should Wolves Keep Semedo and Sign Vagiannidis Anyway?
Ideally, yes. Retaining Semedo while signing Vagiannidis would provide Wolves with depth, flexibility, and mentorship. It would allow the Greek youngster to adjust to Premier League tempo without immediate pressure and give Pereira the chance to rotate or even explore using Semedo in a hybrid defensive-midfield role, as he ages.
However, from a wage and squad management perspective, it may not be feasible to retain both. If Semedo walks, Vagiannidis becomes not just the logical successor, but perhaps the better long-term bet.
Conclusion: Changing of the Guard or Continuity?
As Wolves navigate a pivotal offseason, the right-back position has become a symbolic focal point. Semedo represents continuity, leadership, and experience — a trusted figure in a club seeking stability. Vagiannidis represents change, future potential, and dynamic growth — a player who could lead Wolves into a new era of tactical flexibility and youthful energy.
Whether Pereira gets to work with both or must choose one will be revealed in the coming weeks. But one thing is clear: Wolves must be proactive, not reactive. Letting the situation drag risks losing out on one of Europe’s most promising right-backs, and that could prove costly in the seasons to come.
If Wolves are truly serious about competing at the top end of the Premier League again, then bold, forward-thinking decisions like signing Georgios Vagiannidis could be exactly the kind of move that defines their next chapter.