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Wolverhampton Wanderers head into the January transfer window rock bottom of the Premier League with just three points from 19 games.
It may sound odd given that pitiful points haul but performances are improving under new manager Rob Edwards, who saw his side take a point home from Old Trafford on Tuesday night and very nearly do the same at the Emirates and Anfield earlier in December.
Daily Mail Sport’s Wolves expert TOM COLLOMOSSE takes a look at who might be on their way into Molineux, who could be going out, and how the summer signings have fared so far.
1. What do Wolves need to do in January?
Given that a triple swoop for Thibaut Courtois, Pedri and Kylian Mbappe is probably out of the question, Wolves need to start planning ahead.
Everyone at Molineux knows they are heading for the Championship and they will target players with one eye on next season’s promotion campaign.
If they manage to do that, they will still improve the current squad – which says it all about their disastrous transfer campaign last summer.
Do they have money to spend?
Wolves have managed their finances carefully and have no immediate problems with Premier League spending rules. When Edwards was hired, it was made clear that he would have some funds to reshape the squad in January.
Wolves will also consider selling those players who would be unlikely to stay after relegation, given their transfer values will fall once Wolves are officially a Championship club.
When Rob Edwards was hired by Wolves, it was made clear that he would have some funds to reshape the squad in January
Who are they targeting?
Last summer, Wolves opted not to register interest in three Premier League-ready players – Kyle Walker-Peters, David Brooks and Harry Wilson. The decision looked bizarre then and is staggering now.
These days Wilson is well out of reach and so, probably, are the other two, though Walker-Peters has struggled for regular playing time at West Ham.
Wolves are likely to target homegrown players as they need to boost that quota.
Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney is another player they admire though the England Under 21s international may have better options in the summer.
Hayden Hackney is a player Wolves admire though the England Under 21s international may have better options in the summer
Kyle Walker-Peters has struggled for regular playing time at West Ham so could be an option for Wolves
How have their summer signings fared so far?
Ladislav Krejci and Tolu Arokodare deserve a pass mark. The rest have looked short.
Jhon Arias was signed to reproduce Matheus Cunha’s flair and creativity but has done anything but.
Jackson Tchatchoua looks a fish out of water and though David Moller Wolfe is growing into the left wing-back role, he is no Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Fer Lopez has talent yet with so few professional appearances behind him, it remains mind-boggling that Wolves were prepared to pay £20million to LaLiga club Celta Vigo to bring him to Molineux last summer.
Don’t be surprised if Wolves listen to offers for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen
Brazilian midfield pair Andre and Joao Gomes have interest in their homeland, as well as in Europe
And who might leave?
Don’t be surprised if Wolves listen to offers for at least one of those few players who still have a market.
Brazilian midfield pair Andre and Joao Gomes have interest in their homeland, as well as in Europe.
Despite his poor form this season, Jorgen Strand Larsen proved last term that he can score goals in the Premier League and may be an attractive option for a club like West Ham, who are in desperate need of attacking options to turn around their season.
