Wolves confirm cut-price sale of one of most expensive players in club history

Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed that Goncalo Guedes has signed for Real Sociedad on a permanent deal.Back in 2022, the West Midlands outfit shelled out £27.5m to secure the signature of the Portugal international from Valencia.

Although big things were expected of the versatile attacker, he left Molineux on loan less than six months later having failed to settle at the club.Three loan stints followed – two at former club Benfica and one at Villarreal – before he spent the 2024-25 campaign at Wolves.

However, the 28-year-old was never more than a backup option. Despite racking up 29 Premier League appearances last season, just 987 minutes were accumulated.

Guedes scored what turned out to be a consolation goal during a 3-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Lens last Wednesday, but discussions regarding an exit had already commenced.

Real Sociedad were attempting to negotiate a deal with Wolves to take Guedes back to La Liga, a division where he had 31 goals and 30 assists from 163 matches.On Monday evening, it was formally announced that Real Sociedad had finalised a deal for Guedes in what is a cut-price deal.

While a transfer fee has not been revealed, it has been widely reported that Real Sociedad have agreed terms where they could shell out £5.4m if all add-ons are activated.

Guedes represents a significant coup for a team that will not be competing in Europe next season, but for Wolves, it is yet another departure as they continue to thin their squad.

With Guedes joining Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha in leaving Wolves, supporters are justifiably becoming anxious over their prospects for next season.Despite Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias joining from Celta Vigo and Fluminense respectively, neither have experience of Premier League football.

Hwang Hee-chan and Jorgen Strand Larsen are the only other recognised senior attacking options left in Vitor Pereira’s squad.Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Marshall Munetsi are capable of being deployed in the number 10 role, while Sasa Kalajdzic is currently second choice to Larsen.

Rodrigo Gomes can also be used in the final third, yet most supporters will argue that at least two more experienced options for the attack are required as soon as possible.

Click read more