EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Shi on Wolves' transfer business – "we're ready now"

The Fosun chief said he was 'very pleased' with the additions the club made and is confident of a successful season.

Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star's Tim Spiers on Friday afternoon, Shi revealed:

• New midfielder Alfred N'Diaye was Wolves' final-day priority, not a striker

• Wolves refused to gamble on signing a striker they didn't think would fit Nuno's system

• They weren't looking to replace Nouha Dicko – but may now try to sign a free agent

The lack of a new striker on deadline day grew an angry reaction from many supporters with many expecting at least one forward to replace Nouha Dicko who left for Hull City earlier this week.

PSV striker Jurgen Locadia came close to joining before the deal collapsed with just hours to go.

N'Diaye was Wolves' first choice for a midfielder, Shi insisted, but took some convincing to move to Molineux after an apparent rejection some weeks ago.

"In the last week we wanted to sign two players, a midfielder and maybe a striker," Shi said of the end of the window.

"We desperately needed a defensive midfielder. This target was more important.

"In our view and in Nuno’s view the midfielder was more important. We have Ruben (Neves) and Romain (Saiss) but in our system I think we need a strong, tall guy to do the dirty work and defend and play together with a creative player like Ruben or (Jack) Price.

"We had only Saiss and he cannot play every game.

"One or two weeks ago we didn’t think it was possible to sign N’Diaye – he was in La Liga now but eventually the chance came and we convinced him to come.

"Nuno likes the player. We now have a very strong midfield, we’re happy with Ruben, Romain, N’Diaye, Jack, maybe Prince (Oniangue) can come in.

"He was always our first choice but we didn’t think it was possible. Now we did it we’re very happy."

Wolves are believed to have chased a number of strikers during the final weeks of the window.

Shi said he understood the fans' desire for one to join – but that Wolves had more than enough options up front.

"With a striker, I understand the expectations of the fans," he added. "In a 3-4-3 we have a very high standard for the striker. (Leo) Bonatini is doing very well now, (Diogo) Jota and (Ivan) Cavaleiro can play there, (Michal) Zyro did well at Southampton and Donovan (Wilson) did too.

"If we were to sign a new striker we had to be sure he was a very good player who can fit into the system.

"It’s not easy. It’s not like a striker who scored 20 goals last season will just sign, it’s the right profile that we want. We have five or six players who can play there so any signing has to be better than what we have and fit in the system.

"We don’t want to gamble, so we were cautious about it. In the meantime I’m confident in our frontline. They can interchange and rotate.

"We’re trying to find someone who can upgrade."

Dutchman Locadia was a player Wolves were close to signing for a reported £10million deal.

The chairman didn't reveal whether it was Wolves or PSV who pulled the plug but admitted the lateness of the collapse wasn't ideal.

"The deal would not happen," Shi said. "Whether we pulled out of the deal or they did, it’s doesn’t matter.

"We realised it wasn’t going to happen, that’s the reality.

"I think he’s a good player and we tried, but eventually the deal would not happen.

"It’s not like the club said they don’t want to sell him, or we said we didn’t want to buy. In the process we realised it was more complicated that two parties, it was everything.

"It was very late. But that’s life.

"We were trying to find the right striker to upgrade and help us, not just for the sake of it.

"We’re not trying to sign one because we let Nouha leave. Him going is not related to the signing of a new striker.

"We have enough players – it was just whether we can find a better player to help us.

"We tried our best. Maybe we can find a free agent, maybe in the winter, you never know. We’ll have a look (at free agents), there’s not a clear target right now. If not in the winter. And we’ll have a look at our current players.

"We also have Joe Mason and Paul Gladon, we’re watching them play."

Dicko, David Edwards and Jordan Graham all left in the final week of the transfer window, joining Hull City, Reading and Fulham (on loan) respectively.

Shi said the club took special care in finding the right clubs for their departed players – and isn't concerned about letting them join potential promotion rivals.

On Dicko's exit after three and a half years at the club, Shi said: "With Nouha we could accept the offer from Hull City. It’s not about if a player is good or bad – it’s about the system.

"We need a striker to hold the ball, link up play with midfield. I think Nouha can play very well for other teams but maybe didn’t fit in.

"I’m confident he’ll score for Hull City. But we have to find the right player to fit the system.

"We accepted Hull’s offer not to find a replacement.

"It’s also for the good of Nouha. He may find the right team for him to play.

"He could have stayed, we love him and he’s very loyal to our club for a long time, like Dave. We love both of them but the most important thing is not about Wolves but also their career.

"We have to give them the right platform and think about them too.

"Like last season maybe under Paul Lambert, Nouha and Dave would get more chances because it’s a totally different system.

"I’m not saying who is better players but the coach is the most important person and we have to follow his system.

"With Jordan we had more choices and Fulham is one of them.

"We always think what’s best for the player, not so much if they’re a rival.

"We can never forecast who is a rival. We’re confident that we are strong enough.

"So we don’t care too much who is a rival.

"Jordan got back from an injury and needs time to play to get fit again, so we loaned him.

"When he’s more fit we can get him back and he’ll play more.

"We have to care for our players. When we sell or loan a player it’s not just about the club, it’s about them and finding them a career path.

"They can stay of course and not play that much for all kinds of reasons. Loans or sales, we just want to give the player a good career. That’s how we think about it."

Shi, who confirmed that a possible move for a left-back was shelved owing to an impressive start to life at Wolves from 18-year-old Monaco loanee Ruben Vinagre, said he delighted with the overall work done by Wolves in the window.

Twelve players joined the club and Wolves smashed their transfer record to sign Neves.

"Overall we’re very happy about the transfer window and we think we’re ready to go, to fight, this season," he concluded. "And we have a really good coach. I can’t forecast the future but I think we have more chance this season.

"If we divide the window into two stages – the first finished a long time ago when we already had a very good squad and you can see the results of the pitch.

"The second stage, in the last weeks and days, we were trying to find upgrades for our team. We were being more cautious and certain about the signings. We were not panicked to spend the money.

"From outside people think we’ll sell a player, then buy a player.

"Inside the club, we never sold a player and thought we need another one to come to replace them. We don’t do that.

"If we need a real replacement we will buy a player first.

"It’s more complicated then on paper. It’s about quality, not numbers. I think the fans will realise it’s not easy, not like playing a football game.

"Every signing is not a panic signing, or to fill gaps. It’s about upgrading.

"I’m very pleased. I think if we compare the window with last summer...of course last summer we also signed some good players but in general in this window we overhauled the squad.

"I think we’re ready now."