Fosun anniversary: The 46 players in and out of Wolves in one year
It’s been a year since the Fosun revolution began at Wolves, and we’ve seen plenty of transfers in and out of the club since. With 23 players heading to Molineux and 22 departures under Fosun’s watch, we take a look at the 12 months of transfer turbulence that’s taken place under Jeff Shi and Jorge Mendes.
INS
Helder Costa (Benfica, loan then £13m permanent)
Fosun’s first signing, Costa originally joined on loan the very same day Kenny Jackett got the boot from Molineux. He’s been at Wolves under five different bosses (including caretaker Rob Edwards) in just 12 months. The Portuguese star set the Championship alight and was signed permanently in January, replacing fellow winger Ivan Cavaleiro (Monaco, £7m) as Wolves’ record transfer for a while.
Ben Marshall (Blackburn, £1.5m)
After a protracted saga for his signing, Wolves eventually bagged their man late in January. Paul Lambert’s only permanent signing, but could well become Nuno’s regular right wing-back in his 3-4-3 system once fit.
Ryan Bennett (free agent)
The first signing of the Nuno era, and not one that many fans would have expected. Wolves have been building from the back this summer as a host of defenders followed – Roderick Miranda (Rio Ave), Phil Ofosu-Ayeh (free agent), Barry Douglas (Konyaspor) and Willy Boly have all joined since. The latter already appears set or cult hero status after drawing praise from fans on tour in Austria. With Carl Ikeme sidelined for the foreseeable future as he battle leukaemia, goalkeepers John Ruddy (free agent) and Will Norris (Cambridge United) have also been brought in to compete between the sticks.
Ruben Neves (Porto, £15m)
The third record signing during Fosun’s reign and one that may well come to define the Chinese conglomerate’s ownership. Linked with the biggest names in England on previous occasions, the midfielder was tempted by Nuno having worked together at Porto. His deal equals the Championship record for a signing and, at just 20 years of age, could be worth a lot more rather soon. He’s been a delight to watch in pre-season and, if he shines over the course of the league campaign, he’ll get plenty of fans off their seats.
Also in: Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Kaiserslautern, £1m); Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Manchester United, loan); Paul Gladon (Heracles, £1m); Ola John (Benfica, loan); Duckens Nazon (free agent); Prince Oniangue (Reims, £2m); Romain Saiss (Angers, undisclosed); Silvio (Atletico Madrid, free); Richard Stearman (Fulham, loan); Joao Teixeira (Benfica, loan); Ruben Vinagre (Monaco, loan); Andreas Weimann (Derby, loan).
OUTS
Ola John (Deportivo La Coruna, sub-loan)
The first signing that was back-tracked under Fosun – and not the last. Signed on loan from Benfica on August 22, John, right, played just 27 minutes of Championship football before he was shipped out as part of a rare sub-loan agreement with Deportivo. Other Fosun signings who wouldn’t last the year included: Prince Oniangue – loaned to Bastia in January after initially signing a four-year deal for a £2million fee from Reims; Joao Teixeira – like John, joined on loan from Benfica, only to go out on a sub-loan, this time to Nottingham Forest; Silvio – released at the end of his one-year contract after signing from Atletico Madrid; Paul Gladon – the striker has arguably been the biggest flop under Fosun and rejoined Heracles on loan a year after signing for £1m; and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson – trebled his value in 12 months, despite netting just three goals. Became a favourite for his hard work and Icelandic clap after joining for £1m, but is now a Reading player after the Royals parted with a cool £3m.
Kevin McDonald (Fulham, £1.25m)
The first of Kenny Jackett’s troops to depart. A key part of the side who won League One and then so nearly reached the Championship play-offs in 2015, but his exit had been on the cards for a while. More of Jackett’s squad would depart over the following 12 months, with both Jed Wallace (first on loan) and George Saville heading to Millwall, while James Henry and Mike Williamson were released, the latter after an injury-dogged spell.
Andreas Weimann (end of loan)
The on-loan Derby forward’s fate was effectively tied to that of Paul Lambert. When the Scot left, his departure was made all the more likely. Will always be remembered for that second goal in the Cup win over Liverpool. Another player who scored in that famous win and one whose loan deal wasn’t made permanent was Richard Stearman. Returned to the club on loan from Fulham a year after leaving for £2m, but Nuno wasn’t keen on keeping the long-serving defender, who has since moved to Sheffield United.
Also out: Razak Boukari (Chateauroux); Nathan Byrne (Wigan); Ashley Carter (Kidderminster); Ethan Ebanks-Landell (MK Dons, loan); Jon Flatt (Chelteham, loan); Connor Hunte (Stevenage on loan then released); Dominic Iorfa (Ipswich, loan); Will Randall (Walsall, loan); Aaron Simpson (Portsmouth, loan).
