Wolves' transfer window extremely successful – Kevin Thelwell
Wolves’ summer transfer activity was ‘extremely successful’, sporting director Kevin Thelwell has stated – despite them missing out on a new striker.
Wolves signed 12 players either permanently or on loan during the busiest transfer window in the club’s history.
However the failed to land a proven goalscorer before the end of the window with a number of targets falling by the wayside.
Thelwell, speaking a meeting of the Wolves Fans’ Parliament, said: “When you look at the activity that was achieved over the summer, then I believe the window was extremely successful.
“We were disappointed not to sign a striker and we did get close.
“However, we decided not to chase other options who we didn’t think would make us better.
“Nuno thought central midfield was very important and was very happy we closed the (Alfred) N’Diaye deal.
“There is any number of other players here who he regards as strikers and at this moment in time it looks like it is working well.”
Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes was again heavily involved in Wolves’ recruitment process, helping secure a number of new signings.
Thelwell said of Mendes’ role: “He is an adviser and supporter of Fosun and it would be nuts if I didn’t use the network to our advantage.
“To be clear, he’s not at Compton around the meeting table and he isn’t making decisions for the football club.
“But as an example we had been following Alfred N’Diaye and he was agreed amongst the group as a perfect recruit for the football club.
“We asked Jorge to connect us to the right person to speak to at Villarreal and in a very short space of time provided us with the contact and we were then able to go in and conclude the deal – club to club – on transfer deadline day.
“It is good for us to have him to help us in those situations.”
At the meeting Laurie Dalrymple also gave an update on Carl Ikeme, who is battling leukaemia.
He said: “I had a text conversation with him about a week ago and sent him a load of images of Compton Park and the training ground.
“We have some new player imagery around Compton and I wanted him to make sure he knew he featured strongly in those and remained a key part of the group.
“He also has access to a VIP live stream of games and is firmly still connected to our current progress.
“He’s doing okay. He has been having part of the treatment plan that is perhaps its most intensive and he’s been through it for a couple of months. Whilst, I am sure he’s found it hard, he is in good spirits and is very appreciative of the huge volume of support he gets from all over the world, Wolves fans especially.”