AliousWolves may have enjoyed a productive transfer window this winter, but their past decisions suggest a history of costly missteps in the market. Over the years, the Midlands club has missed out on several players who have gone on to achieve stardom elsewhere.
In 2021, Boubacar Kamara turned down a move to Molineux under then-manager Bruno Lage and has since become a standout midfielder for Aston Villa. Two years earlier, Wolves were keen on signing Ruben Dias but balked at Benfica’s £57 million valuation—only for the Portuguese defender to develop into one of the world’s finest at Manchester City.
More recently, in 2023, Wolves came agonizingly close to securing the services of Viktor Gyokeres. However, due to owner Jeff Shi’s absence at a crucial moment, the deal collapsed. The Swedish forward has since flourished at Sporting Lisbon, establishing himself as one of the top strikers in the world.
### Wolves Passed on William Saliba Before His Arsenal Move
Another significant transfer decision that has come back to haunt Wolves involves William Saliba. According to *football.London*, the club had the talented young center-back on their radar in 2019 while he was still at Saint-Étienne.
At just 18 years old, Saliba was considered a promising prospect, and Wolves initially showed interest. However, once Arsenal entered the race, Wolves reportedly backed off, allowing the Gunners to sign him for £27 million. In hindsight, this has proven to be a major oversight, as Saliba has since developed into one of the world’s top defenders.
Now 23, the French international has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel at Arsenal, with many considering them the Premier League’s best defensive duo. Rio Ferdinand has even tipped Saliba to become the next dominant center-back once Virgil van Dijk retires. Wolves fans can only lament what might have been had their club pursued the signing more aggressively.
### Matheus Cunha Could Join Saliba at Arsenal
Adding to Wolves’ frustrations, one of their current stars, Matheus Cunha, has been linked with a potential move to Arsenal. The Brazilian forward was on Mikel Arteta’s radar during the January transfer window, though the Gunners ultimately did not submit a formal bid.
However, with Arsenal expected to target a new striker in the summer, Cunha remains a strong candidate. His Wolves contract includes a £62.5 million release clause, which can be paid in installments—making him an attractive option for elite clubs across Europe.
For Wolves, this scenario is far from ideal. Losing Cunha would further weaken a struggling squad, while watching him potentially line up alongside Saliba at Arsenal would serve as yet another painful reminder of the club’s past transfer miscalculations.
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