Comment: Wolves' Rui Patricio deal is a game-changer

The standout captures of Ruben Neves (£15million), Helder Costa (£13m), Ivan Cavaleiro (£7m), Diogo Jota (£13m) and Willy Boly (£10m) have been for players aged between 20 and 27 who have careers and names to forge for themselves.

The quintet have room for improvement and if Wolves were to sell any of them tomorrow they'd have a good chance of making a profit on each of them.

The signing of Rui Patricio represents a change of tack – and looks like a game-changer.

With 530 career appearances for club and country under his belt the Portugal goalkeeper's experience far outweighs the players listed above, for example, whose combined appearances at the time they joined Wolves either permanently or on loan totalled 321.

And what a coup it is to land him. While the fact Patricio has remained at Sporting for his entire career to date and hasn't snapped up by one of the European big boys despite his availability would suggest he's not in the 'world class' bracket some would think, it's clear Wolves have landed a seriously quality and established goalkeeper who of course was between the sticks when Portugal won the Euros two years ago.

He's certainly the most famous keeper Wolves have ever bought. Not even John Burridge can match Patricio's reputation.

Heck, there's even a statue of him in his native Leiria depicting a stunning save he made against France in the final.

And to bag him on a 'free' is daylight robbery. Wolves will surely have to pay compensation but even if that eventual figure is anywhere near the £18m they were rumoured to be willing to stump up, it's not bad value for a player of Patricio's stature.

It also shows to other potential new signings that Wolves mean business in the Premier League. They're not aiming for 17th.

The one man the signing doesn't bode well for is John Ruddy, last season's Championship goalkeeper of the year.

Ruddy eschewed Premier League offers to join Wolves a year ago to join Wolves as he didn't want to sit on the bench. He may now have a decision to make at an age of 31 when he just wants to play.

Fosun and Nuno have showed time and again that they have no time at all for sentiment, or indeed for misplaced loyalty.

The club is going somewhere in a rush and the ruthless departure of Benik Afobe for a quick £2m profit showcased their ruthless desire to grow. Fosun see the numbers, the growth and little else.

It's a sentiment-free approach that has served them very well in their investment ventures and you cannot argue with the logic given Wolves' success last season.

It also doesn't look great for the other guys who've got them to this position and the likes of Matt Doherty, Barry Douglas, Ryan Bennett and Romain Saiss will be feeling apprehensive about the club's transfer business in the next two months.

It perhaps risks upsetting the blend and the team spirit already garnered at the club and of course the existing players will look at Patricio's lofty wage and expect the same.

But if Fosun want a top 10 Premier League team then signing established stars would, in theory, get them there quicker than with a young and developing team.

If Ruddy does stay then Wolves' goalkeeping department will look as strong as many in the middle echelons of the top flight.

You suspect Wolves are far from done this summer and if the strength of the Patricio signing is replicated in other positions then the limitations will begin to decrease on what Nuno's team could achieve.

They're moving to another level – and quickly.