Breaking: Wolves must not repeat 2023 transfer blunder as ‘prolific’ £17m striker eyed

Wolves will be eager to have a strong summer in the transfer window, with Gary O’Neil hopeful of swerving last year’s mistakes, particularly when it comes to one magnificent blunder in 2023.

Financial restrictions made Wolves’ summer grey last year as key players were offloaded for profit with no room to be replaced.

Fosun were unable to hand Julen Lopetegui the funds to bolster his shortened squad, seeing the Spaniard depart and Gary O’Neil take charge.

Fortunately, the Englishman has done a stellar job at navigating the 2023/24 season with such limited resources, making the upcoming transfer window a pivotal point in the club’s development.

Now, the Old Gold have the opportunity to welcome much-needed resources to increase depth and quality within O’Neil’s side, with a repeat of last summer’s lows not an option.

One missed opportunity to capture a striker last year has proven to be a significant blunder by Wolves, a mistake that cannot be made again as a similar target emerges.

Wolves blundered Viktor Gyokeres move last summer

Last summer, it was reported that Wolves were considering a move for Viktor Gyokeres from Coventry City, as the striker lit up the Championship over the 2022/23 campaign.

The Sweden international was said to be valued at around £25m at the time, which proved to be a fee too high for the Old Gold to pay due to Financial Fair Play concerns.

Up until June, it was reported that Wolves were still pushing to sign Gyokeres, who eventually signed for Sporting CP for a mere fee of €24m (£21m).

Since then, the talisman has netted an eye-watering 41 goals in 47 appearances over the 2023/24 calendar, telling of what the Midlands club could have had if the funds were there to attempt to lure the forward to the Premier League.

Leading up to this summer’s transfer window, speculation has started regarding strikers that O’Neil could target, with Union SG forward Mohamed Amoura the latest to be linked.

Wolves can’t repeat Viktor Gyokeres miss with Mohamed Amoura

 

This week, it was reported that Wolves are one of the clubs to ‘enquire’ about Amoura, who has contributed to 30 goals this season.

Having scored 23 and assisted seven in 44 appearances, the Algerian has shown his worth in front of goal, operating both centrally and as a winger.

Rumoured to have a price tag of €20m (£17m), the forward could be an affordable asset for O’Neil to consider, with the blunder of last year surely in the back of Wolves’ mind.

It’s clear that the Midlands club need a forward capable of scoring goals, with the 24-year-old having the ability to do just that, seeing him lauded as ‘incredibly clinical’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this term.

Being left without a recognised number nine is an agonising reality for Wolves considering that they could have landed Gyokeres last summer, who has since emerged as one of the hottest talents in Europe.

Having already fired a warning at Fosun ahead of next season, O’Neil will expect to see his targets delivered this summer, with Amoura having the goalscoring prowess needed at Molineux.