Wolves must push to sign ex-Sheffield United star to replace Joao Gomes | OneFootball

Wolves should look to sign ex-Sheffield United man Vini Souza following Wolfsburg's relegation from the Bundesliga.

Wolves are set for a crucial summer transfer window as they try to bounce back to the Premier League following their embarrassing relegation.

A key reason for Wanderers’ downfall over the years has been poor recruitment, but with Nathan Shi having replaced the unpopular Jeff Shi as chairman, the club are talking a good game going into the window.

However, the Wolves hierarchy will be judged by their actions, and they should be in a position to strike early, as the high-profile sales of Jhon Arias, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Emmanuel Agbadou in January were done with the summer in mind.

Joao Gomes will need be replaced in Wolves’ midfield

Of course, relegation means more departures are on the cards, and Wolves’ biggest asset right now is Joao Gomes, with the Brazilian expected to join Atletico Madrid for around €45m.

There will be disappointment at losing Gomes, who was one of few popular players in the squad, although it was inevitable after the club dropped to the Championship.

Clearly, it’s going to be difficult to get a player of a similar quality to replace Gomes, and Wolves fans will understand that they won’t be in a position to splash a similar sum on a replacement.

However, another big sale should allow them more flexibility, which means a decent sum must be available to strengthen the midfield.

The news that Andre signed a new contract, which came as a major shock, was a much-needed boost for Wolves, and he will be key in Rob Edwards’ XI next season.

Yet, there are major doubts over who will partner him. Tommy Doyle and Boubacar Traore return from loan spells, and they could be involved as squad players, but an upgrade is needed to partner Andre in the middle of the park.

Vini Souza would be a brilliant signing for Wolves

So, the recruitment team at Molineux will be looking for options to bolster the midfield, and Vini Souza should come into their thinking.

The powerful Brazilian will be known to some fans in English football, as he had two years with Sheffield United from 2023, which included one year in the Premier League and the other in the Championship.

The Blades’ failure to go up meant a summer move was inevitable, and Wolfsburg signed Souza for €15m. However, his time in Germany hasn’t gone to plan, as they were surprisingly relegated after losing a play-off to Paderborn over two legs.

That could bring about another move for the player, but two relegations in a few years may put off clubs in top divisions.

So, with the money already generated, Wolves should be in a position to strike swiftly, and there’s no denying this would be a coup for the club.

Souza has plenty of qualities that Wolves are lacking right now. He is very physical, which will be crucial in the Championship, he is disciplined, and he is very strong and aggressive at winning the ball back.

Sheffield United fans saw this first hand, as Souza was a class above during his time in the second tier.

Of course, it won’t be easy to convince the player to drop to the Championship again, but Wolfsburg’s relegation does change the picture. Wolves will expect their stay at this level to be a short one, so the 26-year-old may think it’s worthwhile to make the move if they’re back in the Premier League in 12 months time.

Keeping Andre was a major statement of intent by Wolves, and he referenced the players that will be brought in as a factor in convincing him to stay in the Black Country.

That indicates Wolves are going to be ambitious, and securing a deal for Souza would be an example of that, and his partnership with Andre in midfield would be one that could fire the club back to the Premier League.