Wolves will have one eye on the summer transfer window, as Gary O’Neil looks to bolster his squad in the market after being unable to secure a key target in January.
Gary O’Neil has recently expressed his dissatisfaction with Wolves’ inability to sign a striker in January, targeting Fosun in a post-match rant after being forced to rely on academy talents to cover for key injuries.
The manager has had a difficult time weathering the storm of the Old Gold’s small squad, with a significant lack of depth being a result of the need to generate profit through sales in the summer of 2023.
Still, the 40-year-old has laughed adversity in the face this season, with his Wolves group putting in some impressive performances to settle any concern over their competency to compete in the Premier League, which was a concern of Julen Lopetegui.
January’s frustrations came as O’Neil was forced to call academy talents into action to cover for successive injuries to his front line, leading to a dip in form which could have been avoided if reinforcements had been welcomed in the transfer window.
Recently, Sky Sports journalist Johnny Phillips dissected the interest that Wolves had in two strikers this season, speaking on the situation surrounding their pursuit of Armando Broja and Carlos Vinicius.
Wolves January transfer saga surrounding Carlos Vinicius and Armando Broja explained
Speaking on the Talking Wolves podcast, Phillips gave a different perspective of Wolves’ interest in the two forwards that are on Fulham’s books, contrary to the belief that Broja was the primary target.
“Carlos Vinicius was the one they were genuinely looking at. Broja was never like it.
“I spoke to the people who were on the Fulham side of the deal when he went to Fulham and Wolves were never really a serious destination for Broja.
“The numbers definitely weren’t working with that one, absolutely not.”
Phillips went on to mention that Wolves “definitely had a look” at Vinicius, who is now on loan at Galatasaray from Fulham, with Broja making the switch to Craven Cottage from Chelsea for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.
Would Carlos Vinicius have been a good signing for Wolves?
Given the situation that Wolves have found themselves in when it comes to needing simply a presence leading the line, any natural goalscorer would have sufficed to help O’Neil’s side in January.
While the goals have dried up for Vinicius this season, having scored five in all competitions for both Fulham and Galatasaray, there is no doubt that the 29-year-old is capable of putting the ball in the net.
The Brazilian rose to prominence in Europe for his stellar season with Benfica back in the 2019/20 campaign, where he recorded 26 goal contributions, scoring 18 and assisting eight in Liga Portugal.
Ironically, Wolves were reported to have wanted to sign the forward at the end of that season, with a deal not happening as he moved on to endeavour on a loan with Tottenham.
Given that the striker’s contract ends at Fulham in 2025, there could be an opportunity there for the Old Gold to test the water with him again this summer.