If Conor Coady was the personification of Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves, then there is a growing argument that the same could be said for Pedro Neto and Bruno Lage's new version of the side in old gold.
Where Nuno’s teams were built on organisation, solidity and communication, his successor craves fluidity, excitement and creativity. The departure of Coady - from the outside at least - sent shockwaves through the Premier League, but those inside Molineux felt it was a necessary move to facilitate the dawn of a new Wolves side.
Having slumped over the line at the end of last season, it was clear Wanderers needed a reset if they were to continue on their upward trajectory. There are inherent risks and the four at the back will see opponents create more chances - evidenced in the opening day defeat to Leeds United.
However, after scoring more than only the relegated trio last term, the need to become a more potent attacking unit was essential. Neto promises to play a key role in the new-look Wolves side and now fully fit after a serious knee injury, he looks primed for his best campaign yet.
So suggestions that the club’s ownership could cash in on the Portugal international were met with understandable trepidation. The £27.5million acquisition of Goncalo Guedes instantly led to spurious reports that his compatriot could be on the way to Arsenal.
The Gunners are keen on more attacking reinforcements and aged just 22, Neto fits Mikel Arteta and Edu’s criteria perfectly. But the idea of prising the winger away from Wolves seems implausible. Lage now has more options in forward areas, but Guedes appears to be competition for everyone but the charismatic Portuguese youngster.
Against Leeds, everything positive for Wolves came down the left-hand side and the combination with Rayan Ait-Nouri is a tantalising prospect for supporters. And perhaps most importantly, the Midlanders hold all the cards in any hypothetical transfer talks.
In March, Wolves managed to secure Neto to a new long-term deal, meaning he will be tied to the club until at least the summer of 2027.
Now into his fourth Premier League season, with his third almost entirely wiped out by injury, he is fully focused on remaining with the club that brought him to English football in 2019. “I’m very pleased because I feel very good here, it was three years ago I arrived and I’m very happy,” he said after signing his contract.
“I want to work a lot to conquer things with this club because we have the potential to do this kind of stuff. We are working better and better, and I hope to conquer things.”
And while Fosun - the club’s owners - have seen their popularity wane in recent years, they have continued to show they are willing to play hardball in any negotiations over their most prized assets. Many accepted Ruben Neves’ departure as a foregone conclusion and while offers haven’t been forthcoming, that has been partly to do with the prohibitive price tag being placed upon the new captain’s head.
The lengthy saga surrounding Morgan Gibbs-White was perhaps less expected, but after a breakthrough season on-loan with Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest have tested their resolve. It is understood their latest offer of £25m plus another £17m in add-ons was rejected, with Wolves adamant the midfielder isn’t for sale and Lage suggesting it would take £50m to replace him.
“We are also spending because we kept Morgan,” he explained last week. “How much is Morgan worth? £50m. We kept Ruben Neves. How much? £80m - or I said £100m! We have two players that at the end of the season we didn’t expect would stay.
“We spent £150m! That’s why I said we need to have patience. Tell me one player who can play like Morgan - how much would you pay for him? Tell me a player who can play like Ruben - how much would you pay for him?”
The fact remains that if Wolves are holding out for anything like £50m for Gibbs-White, the cost to get his more experienced team-mate, who is a guaranteed starter on a significantly longer contract, would likely be close to double.
Arsenal may have an interest in Pedro Neto, quite frankly it would be remiss not to at this point. But if Wolves have proven anything it is they are willing to be stubborn to get the right price - and that means the Gunners either smash their transfer record, or look elsewhere for the oft-discussed ‘mystery winger’.
