Wolves made a number of high-profile moves during the 2024 summer transfer window, bringing in eight new faces to strengthen their squad. Under the guidance of manager Gary O’Neil and sporting director Matt Hobbs, the club looked to make strides forward. However, as the season progresses, the mixed nature of their acquisitions has become clear, with some signings proving to be hits, while others are already showing signs of being costly mistakes. Let’s dive into the grades for each of their summer transfers, with one particular signing already earning an F for failure.
Wolves were clearly in need of bolstering certain areas of their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season, particularly in defense, but the summer transfer window did not deliver the necessary improvements in all the right places. Despite the club’s intent to strengthen, some of the signings have been underwhelming, leading to criticism of sporting director Matt Hobbs’ decision-making. The club now finds itself heading into the January window with defensive weaknesses still unresolved, a consequence of mistakes made during the summer. Let’s take a closer look at how each of the arrivals performed, and how Molineux News grades them based on their contributions to Wolves’ season so far.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – A
Wolves’ summer signing from Celta Vigo, Jorgen Strand Larsen, has made an immediate impact since his arrival on loan. The Norwegian striker has quickly established himself as a key figure in Gary O’Neil’s attacking setup, with his physical presence and hold-up play offering something different for the Old Gold. While the goals have yet to flow consistently, his all-around contributions have been invaluable, providing a much-needed target man up top. His performances have earned him plenty of praise, and as he continues to settle into Premier League life, it’s expected that the goals will soon follow, making this a smart acquisition.
Tommy Doyle – C
Tommy Doyle’s summer move from Manchester City has yet to yield the expected impact, with the midfielder struggling for consistent game time. While Doyle undeniably possesses talent, he finds himself behind the likes of Joao Gomes, Mario Lemina, and Andre in the Wolves midfield pecking order. This has led to limited opportunities, hindering his ability to fully showcase his potential. Despite his technical ability and pedigree from his time at City, Doyle’s 2024/25 season has been one of waiting for his chance, and until that materializes, his grade reflects his lack of influence on the pitch so far.
Rodrigo Gomes – C
Rodrigo Gomes has had a mixed start to life at Wolves, with his game time being sporadic under Gary O’Neil. However, Gomes did make an impression by scoring his first Premier League goal in his debut match under new manager Pereira, proving his potential. The 21-year-old’s versatility and raw talent are clear, suggesting a bright future at Molineux. The challenge now is for Wolves to give him more consistent minutes, allowing him to further develop and reach his full potential. Until then, his grade reflects the need for more opportunities to prove himself.
Pedro Lima – D+
Pedro Lima’s move to Wolves was seen as a coup, with the club beating Chelsea to sign the promising Brazilian fullback. However, Lima has had limited opportunities to showcase his talent, with his appearances for the first team being rare. Despite an encouraging pre-season, O’Neil made it clear that Lima wasn’t signed for immediate first-team action, which has raised some questions. With Pereira now at the helm, there is hope that the Brazilian will get more game time to prove his worth. For now, Lima’s grade reflects his lack of exposure and impact on the pitch.
Bastien Meupiyou – F
Wolves took a gamble on teenage centre-back Bastien Meupiyou from FC Nantes, but this move has failed to make a significant impact. Given the club’s pressing need for an experienced defensive option, Meupiyou’s arrival has raised eyebrows, especially as he is still recovering from an injury. With the club needing immediate reinforcements at the back, this signing has proven to be a costly error, and his lack of involvement so far has resulted in a grade of F.
Sam Johnstone – E
The signing of Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace was intended to inject competition for the goalkeeper spot, but it has yet to pay off for Wolves. Johnstone’s arrival was supposed to strengthen the goalkeeping options, but it remains uncertain whether he is an upgrade over Jose Sá, or even a suitable challenger for the starting role. The decision to sign Johnstone has backfired to some extent, as both goalkeepers have struggled for consistency this season. This move has not achieved the desired impact, leaving Wolves in a challenging position with unclear goalkeeping depth. As a result, Johnstone earns a grade of E.
Andre – B+
Andre was one of Wolves’ standout signings in the summer, arriving late on deadline day from Fluminense for £21m. Despite admitting to struggles in adjusting to life in England, the Brazilian midfielder has shown glimpses of his potential and has proven to be a valuable asset in the center of the park. His technical ability and composure on the ball have been noticeable. However, the question remains whether Wolves truly needed to allocate such a large sum for another central midfielder, considering their more pressing needs in other areas. Despite this, Andre’s performances warrant a solid B+ grade.
Carlos Forbs – E
Wolves brought in Carlos Forbs late on deadline day to strengthen their wide options following Pedro Neto’s departure. While Forbs possesses undeniable speed, being the fastest player in the Premier League, his actual impact on the pitch has been minimal. Given the lack of significant game time, it’s difficult to grade him any higher than an E at this stage. Wolves will hope that with more opportunities, Forbs can prove his worth and contribute to the squad more regularly.