This summer, Gary O’Neil will be keen to add a new striker to Wolves, especially in light of Jeff Shi’s most recent transfer pledge.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has had a turbulent week as a result of the comments he made both before and after the club’s season ticket price increase were made public.
Supporters of Wolves were informed that ticket prices would rise dramatically following the lackluster conclusion to the 2023–24 season, in which Gary O’Neil’s team won only one of their final 10 Premier League games.
Rightfully so, Shi and Fosun became the public’s worst enemies; yet, the chairman offered some consolation in the wake of the announcement by promising O’Neil a move. In an attempt to allay the manager’s hopes of adding a striker in the summer, Shi hinted that Wolves would “sign one or two numbers nines.”
Although there is a wealth of talent out there that the Old Gold may target, finding and acquiring a clinical striker is challenging, especially on a budget. Here are five such players.
Five strikers Wolves could target after Jeff Shi transfer promise
Che Adams from Southampton Che Adams is one player that Wolves may want to fill the number nine spot, according to rumors that have already begun to circulate around Molineux this summer. When his Saints contract expires in June, the Scotland international might become a free agent; however, a decision on his future on the South Coast has not yet been made.
Adams would bring Premier League experience to Molineux after a standout Championship season in which he scored 15 goals to help Southampton battle for promotion. The 27-year-old could be O’Neil’s best option to add depth to his team at a reasonable cost and minimal risk.
Serhou Guirassy – VfB Stuttgart
A more exciting transfer prospect would be Stuttgart talisman Serhou Guirassy, who with a release clause in place could be purchased for a mere £15m this summer.
The 28-year-old scored 28 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances in 2023/24, sporting a higher conversion rate than Harry Kane, converting 30% of his chances to goals.
There’s no doubt that Guirassy will be on the list of many heading into the transfer window having shown his potency in front of goal, a player that Wolves should certainly eye to finally capture a replacement for Raul Jimenez.
Vangelis Pavlidis – AZ Alkmaar
A similarly affordable player that Wolves could target is AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who is ‘planning’ a move in the summer according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.
Plettenberg added that a fee of around £15m could be enough to lure the forward away from the Eredivisie club, with several suitors already claimed to be eyeing a swoop.
For Wolves, Pavlidis could be a strong capture given his clinical nature in front of goal, where he netted 29 goals in the Dutch top flight in 2023/24, ending the season as the league’s joint-top scorer.
Taiwo Awoniyi – Nottingham Forest
Closer to home, O’Neil could be drawn towards Nottingham Forest centre-forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who has suffered an injury-plagued campaign.
As a result, The Athletic journalist Daniel Taylor expects his value to have narrowed due to his injury record, however, given how clinical he is on his day, Wolves should keep tabs on the 26-year-old.
Since arriving in the Premier League in 2022, the Nigerian has contributed to 20 league goals in only 47 appearances, showing his potency in the box, a trait that Wolves have been missing.
Of course with Premier League talent comes the Premier League tax, meaning that a swoop for Awoniyi would expectedly cost more than perhaps expected.
Mohamed Amoura – Union SG
Finally comes Mohamed Amoura, who was linked to Wolves in January and again earlier this month, where it was claimed that the Old Gold were to ‘enquire’ about the forward’s availability.
The 24-year-old Algerian had a hand in 31 goals over the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 23 and assisting eight, showing his worth against Premier League opposition by terrorising Liverpool in the Europa League.
Amoura would be an interesting player for O’Neil to target given his scoring rate this season, posing as the ideal candidate to replenish Wolves’ front line this summer.
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