Alious### **”Wolves’ Costly Decision? Former Loanee Now Worth Over 200% More Than Munetsi”**
As the Premier League relegation battle intensifies, Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves fighting for survival. With just 19 points from 24 matches, they remain 21 points shy of the widely accepted 40-point safety mark. Every game from here on out is crucial, and Wolves will be relying heavily on star performers like Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri—both of whom could be playing their final games for the club amid ongoing transfer speculation.
New January signing Marshall Munetsi will also play a key role in their survival push. The 28-year-old Zimbabwean midfielder arrived from Stade Reims on transfer deadline day for a reported £17 million. Munetsi had an impressive stint in Ligue 1, making 159 appearances, scoring 21 goals, and registering 14 assists. His versatility allows him to play across midfield roles, whether as a defensive pivot, a box-to-box engine, or an advanced playmaker.
Although Munetsi has only made one brief FA Cup appearance for Wolves so far, early signs suggest he could become an important figure. However, his arrival may also serve as a painful reminder of a player Wolves once had the chance to sign permanently—Vitinha.
### **Vitinha’s Meteoric Rise – A Missed Opportunity for Wolves?**
The Portuguese midfielder spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Molineux from FC Porto, with Wolves holding an option to buy. However, after just one goal and one assist in 22 appearances, the club opted against signing him permanently. Fast forward to today, and that decision looks increasingly costly.
Since leaving Wolves, Vitinha has flourished at Paris Saint-Germain, making 125 appearances and contributing 16 goals and 10 assists, including 11 goal involvements in Ligue 1 last season alone. He has also established himself as a key player for Portugal, earning 25 caps and providing three assists in Euro 2024, where he played alongside stars like Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to **Football Transfers**, Vitinha is now valued at **£51.4 million**—a staggering **202% more** than what Wolves paid for Munetsi. His outstanding performances even earned him a nomination for the **2024 Ballon d’Or**, underlining just how much his stock has risen.
Statistical comparisons further highlight the gap in quality. Data from **Squawka** shows that in the 2023/24 Ligue 1 season, Vitinha created **1.5 chances per game**, significantly outperforming Munetsi’s **0.5 per game**.
Looking back, Wolves may regret failing to unlock Vitinha’s potential during his loan spell. Had they exercised their purchase option, they could have had a world-class midfielder anchoring their squad—one now worth more than double their latest midfield signing. As they battle to stay in the Premier League, Wolves are left wondering what might have been.
Alious
