Rob Edwards has the unenviable task of keeping Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this season. It is fair to say he has his work cut out, with the Old Gold on just two points from the first 12 games.
His first game as manager of his former club didn’t go to plan, either. Edwards’ side were defeated 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace, to continue piling on the misery at Molineux.
Already nine points from safety, it seems a long way back for the Old Gold from this point, if they want to stay in the Premier League.
Things could get worse for the Old Gold soon, with one of their key players, Joao Gomes, linked with a move away as soon as January.
The latest on Joao Gomes’ future at Wolves
It seems almost inevitable that Gomes will not be a Wolves player by the start of the 2026/27 season. Of course, if they are relegated, he will be snapped up, but a departure could happen as soon as the January transfer window.
Recent reports suggest that Manchester United are in advanced discussions to sign the 24-year-old this winter, as they look to strengthen in midfield. Indeed, the Old Gold could demand a fee of up to £44m if they are to sell their star midfielder this winter.
It would be a big loss, too. The 10-cap Brazil international has played in all 12 Premier League games this season. His ball-winning ability is imperative. Over the past year, he’s won an average of 2.15 tackles per game, placing him in the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.
Yet, there is a silver lining to a potential sale. Gomes would raise a significant amount of funds for the Old Gold to reinvest in the squad, and although they would have to replace him in midfield, they could look to strengthen the squad to help keep them up.
However Gomes’ situation ends up, there is a member of the Wolves squad who they could perhaps look at selling first.
Wolves’ priority sale should not be Gomes
After losing Matheus Cunha, also to the Red Devils, and Rayan Ait-Nouri to their rivals Manchester City in the summer, this season was naturally going to be harder. Yet, it has not been a season where all of their best players have stepped up after those sales.
One of those players is Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Norwegian was one of the Old Gold’s best players in 2024/25, bagging 14 Premier League goals in 35 games during his debut campaign.
However, things haven’t been as smooth this season for their number nine. In ten Premier League games this term, he’s only bagged one goal, coming in a 3-2 defeat against Burnley. That strike was a penalty, leaving him without an open play goal.
There has been a scathing assessment of his performances this season, too. Former Premier League scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Strand Larsen, who earns £95k-per-week, has made Wolves a “worse side”” this term because of his lack of goals, which were so important in the previous campaign.
There is a huge decline in his underlying stats from last term, too. In 2024/25, the former Celta Vigo striker averaged 1.2 shots on target and a shot accuracy of 69.39%. Comparatively, he’s averaging 0.6 shots on target and 45.45% shot accuracy this season.
Strand Larsen key PL stats in last 2 seasons | ||
|---|---|---|
Stat (per 90) | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
Shots | 1.7 | 1.3 |
Shots on target | 1.2 | 0.6 |
Shot accuracy | 69.39% | 45.45% |
Non-penalty goals | 0.5 | 0 |
Conversion rate | 28.57% | 9.09% |
Stats from Squawka | ||
Newcastle United were said to be interested in signing Strand Larsen over the summer. A fee in the region of £65m was quoted, and whilst the move did not materialise, it might be a sale Wolves now look to get over the line, be it to the Magpies or another club.
Like with Gomes, that is something they can reinvest in January, as they look to build a squad capable of, somehow, keeping them in the top flight. With Gomes’ importance to Edwards’ side, and the fact that he is in good form, it might make sense to sell Strand Larsen first.
It would be a bold call, but he is not scoring, and with prior interest, that is money that could hugely benefit Wolves in the second half of the season.
£55m spent & Hackney signs: Dream Wolves XI Edwards can build in January
This is the dream Wolves starting line-up that Rob Edwards could build in the January window.
