Wolverhampton Wanderers

Emma Milton
Fan writer

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Wolves' window was always going to be a no-win situation.

When relegation odds keep shortening, it is hard to attract true Premier League talent. Players with options rarely choose a four-month slog that will probably end in the Championship and if the club is not shouting ambition from the rooftops, the pitch is even harder.

It felt fitting that the window closed on Groundhog Day. After weeks of waiting, I half-expected Wolves to do what they often do on deadline day: nothing.

Instead, they squeezed most of their business into the final hours, bringing the familiar mix of excitement, anxiety and instant judgement.

Angel Gomes feels like a genuine coup. Not long ago he was talked about as an answer to England's problem of managing games in possession and you can see why.

He brings calm control on the ball and the composure that relegation fights often lack. He finds space between the lines, plays through pressure instead of around it and could be the creative link Wolves have been missing for months. He is the midfielder you pick because you are tired of your team going side to side, then backwards, then side to side again.

Adam Armstrong makes sense too, but for different reasons. He is sharp, quick across the ground and lives off half-chances, which can decide tight games. Still, it feels like a signing built for the Championship more than the Premier League.

It is pragmatic planning for the drop and I am not averse to that. If the worst happens, his record suggests he could be central to a quick return.

Jorgen Strand Larsen heading to Crystal Palace will not bring many tears. After showing promise last season, he has not kicked on and one penalty goal across the Premier League campaign tells its own story.

Wolves needed a striker to deliver in big moments and he did not. With his numbers, £43m plus add-ons feels like a fee that flatters.

With other markets still open, there could be more exits yet, including Emmanuel Agbadou and Jhon Arias. But in a brutal window, this is decent business. I would rate it 7.5 out of 10.

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Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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A quirk of the calendar promised a cheap gag about the deadline falling on Groundhog Day, 2 February, and the familiar feeling of Wolves leaving everything to the last minute.

That would have been both unfunny and probably unfair, this January being unlike any previous window since Wolves were last promoted.

The idea of lying doggo and holding money back until the summer gained more support than might have been expected. It had an undeniable logic.

You could wonder how it would really feel the morning after, realising that the rest of the campaign – which season-ticket holders paid for months ago – had effectively been written off as a bad job. (Perhaps, after the rest of the league was equally inert for most of Monday, not that bad after all.)

At a meeting with the club's senior management last week, a selection of fans' group leaders and podcasters were assured that work was continuing, but with a "focus on protecting the club's value".

It was also noted that attracting players had proved very difficult, which was not hard to believe. Players who feel their place is in the Premier League could consider any club in the top half of the Championship more likely to appear in the top flight next season than Wolves.

But the deadline day business offers encouragement that squad-building, now overseen by Matt Jackson, will be better next summer – as it will need to be if the stated aim of an immediate bounce back up is realistic. Adam Armstrong, proven in the second tier, was a logical purchase at a fair price.

The signing of Angel Gomes is more intriguing. A full England international within the last 18 months, his record suggests he could be a very high-end Championship player. The notion that he might use a loan at Wolves to remind Premier League clubs who he is feels misplaced after his first club interview, in which Gomes was clear that the chance to work with Rob Edwards, one of his coaches at England Under-20 level, was a major pull factor.

And of course there was the Jorgen Strand Larsen deal. It's better that we remember his form from last season, which feels more aligned to the Crystal Palace offer.

Last summer, Wolves' mishandling of the window left them in a position where both choices – either rejecting Newcastle's massive offer or allowing their striker to leave with no serious cover – felt equally unthinkable.

The next window could be their most complex for years and they cannot afford to be so poorly prepared again.

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We asked for your views on Wolves' signings of midfielder Angel Gomes and striker Adam Armstrong on deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Kieran: Gomes is a really good signing. Armstrong one for the future. Good luck Strand Larsen.

Paul: Great signings. Will help in the Premier League but more importantly - get us up from the Championship.

Bobby: Well done. A difficult transfer window but our business is with an eye to the future.

David: New signings Gomes and Armstrong both want to be at Wolves and will bring positives to the squad. Both of them could potentially shine at Championship and Premier League level. Crucially, unlike last summer's arrivals, they know the level they'll be aiming at. So let's be optimistic.

Kieron: Armstrong will be a good addition for the Championship next season, and getting Gomes with an option to buy is a bonus as can play as a six, eight or a 10 in midfield. They both have the rest of this season to bed in for the next.

Rhys: I am quite annoyed that Jorgen left, but saying that, look who we've brought in. Adam Armstrong is an incredible Championship player and will help us when we get relegated (maybe?).

Bob: Wolves have clearly accepted that relegation is now inevitable and have started building for the Championship. These signings are a reasonable start but it all depends which of the current players they can keep for next season.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Wolves had to tread carefully this window.

They needed to start preparing for next season but if they sold too much of the silverware it would look like they were surrendering too early.

With relegation increasingly likely, they could not leave it until the summer to revamp the squad but they have struck the right tone in the difficult winter window.

The additions of Adam Armstrong from Southampton and Angel Gomes from Marseille give the squad fresh faces and voices.

The signing of Gomes is especially positive.

Just under 18 months ago, he was making his England debut under Lee Carsley against the Republic of Ireland and his loan from Marseille sees the midfielder return to the UK for the first time since leaving Manchester United in 2020.

Armstrong has Championship pedigree, even if his record in the top flight is hardly prolific, as Wolves rebuild the frontline after Jorgen Strand Larsen's £48m move to Crystal Palace.

Strand Larsen is a high-profile exit. Joao Gomes and Andre had interest in January - although Gomes was happy to stay until the end of the season and assess his future, with Napoli current frontrunners for the Brazil international.

Marshall Munetsi and Fer Lopez have gone out on loan - Munetsi's time at the club appearing over as Wolves try to keep his value high, while Lopez will return in the summer.

Rob Edwards needed to bring players in who would be willing to step into the Championship and help bring Wolves back to the Premier League. The first steps have been taken.

Wolves have completed the deadline day signings of midfielder Angel Gomes and striker Adam Armstrong.

Gomes joins on an initial loan from French side Marseille until the end of the season, with an option to buy at the end of the campaign.

The 25-year-old only joined Marseille from Lille in the summer but has not started a Ligue 1 match since November, scoring four goals in 20 appearances in all competitions for the club.

Gomes came through the ranks at Manchester United, where he featured 10 times for the first team.

Speaking to club media about the deal for the England international, boss Rob Edwards said: "I'm delighted, really excited. I've got a really good relationship with Angel – we go back quite a long way now.

"At the FA we got on really, really well. I thought he was a brilliant, technical player, and he's got a great brain. He gives us real quality in that midfield area and it's a really exciting signing for the football club.

"He's young, but he's experienced now, he's got a lot of games behind him. Everything that he brings, his intensity, his energy, his enthusiasm for football, we want him to bring all of that. He's got bags of quality, so I'm looking forward to seeing him integrate into the group."

Armstrong has joined on a three-and-a-half-year contract for a fee of £7m from Championship side Southampton.

The 28-year-old has 11 goals for Saints in the second tier this season, contributing to a tally of 43 for the club since joining from Blackburn in 2021.

His arrival follows the departure of forward Jorgen Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace for £48m.

"Adam's really excited to be here. He's a competitor and he's got something about him that we need now. He was really keen to come and join Wolves, and wants to play for Wolves, so it's a really good day for the club getting him in," Edwards said.

"He's someone I've admired for a long, long time. He's a really good footballer, a goal threat and a goal scorer. He's someone who can play off the sides if we wanted him to, he'll see himself as a nine and as a goalscorer, but he's more than that.

"We were only going to bring people in if we felt they could really affect the group in a positive way, not just on the pitch, but around the whole place as well. Hopefully everyone really gets behind him and shows him that love really early on."

What do you make of Wolves' business on deadline day? Can they have an impact in the final months of the season? Or is it preparation for a possible Championship campaign?

Get in touch with your views here

Wolves have done the following business on deadline day:

• Midfielder Angel Gomes has joined Wolves on an initial loan move from Ligue 1 side Marseille, with an option to buy in the summer.

• Adam Armstrong has completed a permanent move to Wolves from Southampton. This season the 28-year-old has scored 11 goals in 29 Championship appearances. Armstrong has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at the club.

• Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has completed a move to fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace in a deal worth up to £48m.

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Watch Total Sport's transfer deadline day special for West Midlands clubs, focusing on the business done by Aston Villa and Wolves, plus the region's EFL sides.

The show, which runs from 18:00-20:00 GMT, will offer the latest updates and analysis on your team's transfer business.

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Wolves fan Jason Guy believes his side need to build for the Championship.

You can watch BBC Sport's Transfer Deadline Day coverage here

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Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta's move to AC Milan is in serious doubt over issues with his medical, according to multiple BBC Sport sources.

The 28-year-old France forward had additional medical tests on Monday but the Italian side are set to pull out of the £30m deal.

Mateta, who has been nursing a knee issue, had an initial medical examination on Sunday.

The Eagles have agreed a £48m deal for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and had granted Mateta permission to have a medical in London before flying to Milan.

Palace still intend to try to sign Strand Larsen.

Wolves, meanwhile, were moving to replace Strand Larsen and are close to reaching a deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for an initial £7m.

There is growing confidence the move will be done with the Premiership's bottom club Wolves in danger of relegation to the Championship.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Wolves are still waiting to hear back from Torino after making an 8m euro (£6.9m) offer for Che Adams last week.

The former Birmingham and Southampton striker is keen to return to the UK but the Serie A club are reluctant to let him leave.

Adams joined Torino from Southampton on a free transfer in 2024 and has scored 16 goals in 63 appearances.

He netted the winner in Torino's 1-0 win over Lecce on Sunday, a result which left them 13th in Serie A.

We asked you what still needs to happen before the transfer window closes at 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Dan: It would be nice to sign someone that can shoot from distance or take set pieces. Anyone who isn't willing to play for us in the Championship to rectify the mess this season can leave.

Simon: Poor window, club too greedy to sell a few players as holding out for a fee they would have got last summer and not accepting some loss due to certain relegation. If we get to the summer window and they are still unrealistic in player valuations following relegation then we know nothing behind the scenes has improved. Getting Angel in is just a token signing to say they got someone in, after sending out our most industrious midfielder on loan. Still feels like Bozo the clown is pulling the strings at this club.

Gaz: Why don't we go for Jamie Vardy? He doesn't need to even look where the goal is to score whereas our strikers look at the goal and still can't score. He is still class at any age.

Paul: 11 new players, a whole heap of luck, and new owners. Not too much to ask for is it?

Dave: All positions need to be strengthened but who will come to us knowing we are already relegated & struggling with division two ready & waiting for us? Talk about a club in terminal decline - we are it with greedy owners & management.

Ask us questions about Wolves and we'll put them to our experts

Today is the final chance of the season for your Premier League team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Wolves are close to agreeing a deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for an initial £7m - as forward Jorgen Strand Larsen moves closer to joining Crystal Palace.

There is a growing confidence the move will get done as Wolves build for an expected relegation to the Championship.

The 28-year-old has 11 goals for Saints in the Championship this season, contributing to a tally of 43 for the club since joining from Blackburn in 2021.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Bournemouth

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Bryce: Fosun has managed to assemble a Championship-level squad with Premier League money a year too early. Utter shambles. It's not the players fault. Most are playing a league higher than they should be- and those with the quality have been AWOL too often. You aren't bottom because you're unlucky - not by the distance we are.

George: Wolves had more chances, but scored no goals; Bournemouth had fewer chances, but got two goals. Just not good enough.

Frank: Wolves' basics are there. We will get relegated but we must fight until it's a mathematical certainty. We have the manager and players working in harmony to virtually guarantee promotion from a notoriously difficult league to get promotion from. We MUST hang on to the manager and playing staff. Without that, I can only foresee Wolves in the wilderness.

Glyn: Just when I thought we were beginning to turn the corner to some degree and could have possible got three points against a depleted Bournemouth team. Awful is only way I can describe it. The first goal came from a woeful pass on the edge of the 18-yard box - and couple this with a host of missed opportunities in front of goal, most of which my 10-year-old grandson could have put away. I feel we have descended to a new performance level after what has been an encouraging run of late. I can't wait for this nightmare to end!

Bournemouth fans

Dave: What a relief! Such exciting football. Well done, Cherries! We are on our way again. We've got a squad full of top-flight players and the greatest manager. Up the Cherries!

Malcolm: A workman-like performance against a decent Wolves team. Rayan looked so composed coming on as sub - have we unearthed another gem? Super strike from Kroupi, who I predict to be our top goal scorer this season.

Clive: Kroupi not even mentioned as a youngster to follow at the beginning of the season - what a stunning strike! Clawing our way up the table. One more signing, and return of the injured, and the possibilities are endless!

Matt: A long journey up to watch the match was rewarded with a battling performance to get the win. Kroupi is a real gem. Some great saves from Petrovic and good to see Rayan - the Beast from Brazil - getting his debut and creating the second.

It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 GMT.

How would you assess Wolves' window? Do you think any position needs more attention? If so, give us names of who should be brought in. And what about who needs to go?

Get in touch with your views here

Steven Wyeth
Final Score reporter at Molineux

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As bleak as the immediate future looks for Wolves, a glimmer of hope has revealed itself in recent weeks.

The impact of 18 year-old Mateus Mane was demonstrated again against Bournemouth, where he tirelessly strived to dictate the game and give Wolves a chance.

His conduct off the field offered further evidence of the potential. He was the Wolves player assigned to pre-match TV duties, so I got a chance to chat with him.

Mane demonstrated the same maturity and authority in that interview as in the eye-catching performances since his debut in December.

There was no evidence that rave reviews have distracted him, instead just talk of staying "humble", working hard and continuing to seize an opportunity that's presented itself in difficult circumstances.

Wolves have unearthed a gem they will be desperate to hold on to.

Pundits Shay Given and Steph Houghton join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 1-1 Everton

• Leeds 0-4 Arsenal

• Chelsea 3-2 West Ham

Wolves manager Rob Edwards speaking to BBC Match Of The Day: "I think it's pretty clear. I was delighted with the way we started the game, it was very good and we got the goal but it was offside.

"I thought we looked really good with the ball, we looked threatening but then we started being loose with the ball and we gave some passes away.

"In the last bit of the first-half, we caused ourselves problems and we tried to adjust that at half-time but I did think it was one-way traffic in the second-half. If we'd taken those chances I would have been talking about a different game."

On the lack of goals for his team: "Scoring goals has been a problem. Without putting the ball in for the lads, I can't do anything about that. We created chances today and the performance was good, the second half was very good.

"We have to fight until the end of the 38th game and we will do that. We are improving and we are getting better. That was a very good game in chunks of today."

Hear more from Edwards on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Wolves have won just one of their last 28 matches in the Premier League (D6 L21), with the Old Gold failing to score in over 50% of those games (15).