Wolves fans are in for what looks to be a rollercoaster transfer window, with plenty of highs and lows expected as Vitor Pereira looks to strengthen his squad in the wake of an impressive run of form. The club has won its last six Premier League matches, a fantastic achievement that has injected a sense of optimism into the Molineux faithful. However, despite this positive run, Pereira is not resting on his laurels and is looking to make strategic moves in the transfer market to ensure Wolves are in a strong position for the future. One of the key challenges he faces is managing the departure of key players, particularly Matheus Cunha, whose exit will leave a hole in the squad.
Cunha’s departure is a significant blow, as the Brazilian forward has played a key role in Wolves’ attacking play this season. While his form has fluctuated, Cunha has been an important player, and his loss will require an immediate replacement, especially considering that Pereira will want to continue his team’s good form. This situation presents an opportunity for Wolves to bring in a player who could make an impact in the middle of the park, and reports suggest that Pereira is already targeting a midfielder to strengthen his options.
One player linked to the club is Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso, a highly regarded Brazilian midfielder with excellent technical ability, vision, and passing range. Cardoso’s profile fits well into the type of player Pereira would likely want to bring to Molineux, as he could add creativity and composure to the Wolves midfield. Wolves are reportedly willing to triple Cardoso’s wages in a bid to fight off competition from Tottenham Hotspur, a club that is also said to be keen on acquiring the midfielder. This shows just how serious Wolves are about securing his signature and how much they value his potential contribution to the squad. If Wolves can successfully land Cardoso, it would be an exciting move for the club, especially given their current midfield options.
Cardoso’s technical qualities and versatility make him an attractive option for Wolves, particularly as Pereira looks to implement a style of play that involves greater possession and control of the ball. The Brazilian’s ability to read the game and make decisive passes would complement Wolves’ attack, and his work rate off the ball would help in the team’s defensive efforts. With the likes of Tottenham interested, this is one transfer battle that will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. If Wolves can pull off this signing, it would represent a significant step forward in building a squad capable of competing at the top end of the Premier League.
However, amid all the excitement around potential new arrivals, the transfer rumour mill has also focused on one of the more surprising links—Jamie Vardy. The Leicester City striker, who announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the 2024/25 season after a glorious 13 years with the Foxes, has been the subject of numerous rumours regarding a Premier League move. Wolves were among the clubs reportedly interested in signing the 38-year-old veteran, and the idea of bringing in a player of Vardy’s experience and pedigree seemed to excite some fans. After all, Vardy has been one of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers over the years and was instrumental in Leicester’s historic title win in 2016. Given his pedigree and his ability to score goals, it seemed natural that Wolves might be looking to bring him in.
But just as quickly as these links to Vardy gained momentum, they were shut down by transfer expert Rudy Galetti, who confirmed that Wolves are not interested in pursuing the striker. This has come as a relief to many fans and analysts who believe that signing Vardy at this stage of his career would be a mistake for the club. Although Vardy has been one of the most lethal strikers in Premier League history, his age and physical decline in recent seasons have raised concerns about his ability to perform at the highest level. Despite his respectable seven goals this season, Vardy has not been as consistent as he once was, and only one of those goals has come in his last 12 starts. It’s clear that Vardy’s best years are behind him, and while he might still be capable of scoring in the right system, he no longer has the same impact that he once did.
The issue of Vardy’s wages also complicates matters. Vardy is likely to command a significant wage packet, and at 38 years old, it’s questionable whether he would offer value for money. Wolves, under the guidance of Pereira, have made it clear that they are looking to reduce their wage bill this summer, as evidenced by the ongoing contract negotiations with Nelson Semedo. Semedo is one of the club’s highest earners, and discussions about his new deal have been complicated by the financial constraints at the club. With Wolves keen on streamlining their wage structure, committing to a player like Vardy, who would undoubtedly demand a significant salary, would go against the club’s current financial strategy. Moreover, bringing Vardy in could cause issues within the squad’s hierarchy, potentially disrupting the wage structure and creating unrest among other players.
Furthermore, it’s important to consider whether Vardy would even be a guaranteed starter at Wolves. Under Pereira, the team has adopted a system that revolves around a fluid attacking setup with players like Jorgen Strand Larsen leading the line. Larsen, who has impressed in his debut season, has quickly established himself as one of the team’s most promising attacking talents. He’s shown an ability to score goals and make intelligent runs, even equaling Raul Jimenez’s record for goals in his first season at the club. Given this, it seems unlikely that Vardy would be able to displace Larsen from the starting spot, which makes his potential signing less appealing. Wolves would be better off focusing on signing a younger striker who could complement Larsen and provide further competition for the forward spots.
In fact, the decision to not pursue Vardy may also be a reflection of Wolves’ long-term strategy. The club is in a period of rebuilding, and it’s clear that Pereira is looking to build a team that is young, dynamic, and capable of challenging for higher positions in the Premier League. Signing a 38-year-old striker, even one with the pedigree of Vardy, could potentially slow down the team’s development. The focus should be on finding players who fit the profile of the team’s evolving style of play and who can contribute to the club’s ambitions for years to come. It’s a smarter move to invest in young talent, rather than relying on a veteran player who may only have one or two seasons left at the top level.
In conclusion, while the rumours linking Jamie Vardy to Wolves may have captured the imagination of some fans, the club’s decision to distance itself from the veteran striker is ultimately the right one. Vardy’s age, wage demands, and diminishing physical attributes make him an ill-suited fit for the direction in which Wolves are headed. Instead, the club should focus on signing younger players who can contribute to the team’s long-term success. The interest in Johnny Cardoso, however, is a more promising development. If Wolves can land the Brazilian midfielder, he could be an excellent addition to the squad and provide the creative spark that the team needs to push for higher goals. With the transfer window fast approaching, Wolves fans will be eager to see what moves the club makes, and the excitement around potential new signings continues to build.