Julen Lopetegui on brink of walking away from Wolves

The Premier League is unforgiving and punishes those who do not invest big money in the summer to strengthen their squad. Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui could be on the brink of the abyss after a disastrous transfer window for his side.

When the Spanish coach decided to join Wolves back in November 2022, he knew what a mess he was getting into. The English side were bottom of the Premier League and had little hope of getting back on track, but Lopetegui's experience paid off: in the 27 games he was in charge, Wolves won 10 and drew another seven, results that helped them to secure survival and finish the season in 13th place.

After the end of the 22/23 season, Julen warned in an active and passive manner of the urgent need to revolutionise the squad in the transfer market, a need that has not only been ignored by the board, but which has also been compounded by the departure of key players.

Despite the heroics of saving a team lacking in quality, the coach never hid the team's needs. "We are obliged to make signings this summer," he said before the start of the holiday period, alerting the Molineaux offices.

Wolverhampton have been hit by financial fair play regulations, which have limited incoming spending in this market.

The reality is that not only has the club been hit with this financial setback, but there have been unexpected departures that now create needs in positions that were previously excellently covered. The most glaring case is that of Ruben Neves, captain, legend and star player at the club.

Another position that has been tremendously affected has been that of central defence. Nathan Collins left for Brentford for a fee of 27 million euros, while his partner at the back, Connor Coady, headed for Leicester, leaving nine million in the kitty.

Add to all these departures the departures of Diego Costa, Adama Traoré, Joao Moutinho and Raúl Jiménez, and it would seem unlikely that Wolves have not looked urgently for replacements, but that is the case.

The only decent addition has been Matt Doherty, a reliable full-back for a mid-table club in England, back where he belongs, but one that does not solve any of the problems facing the Spanish coach's side.

Lopetegui can only be patient and wait for reinforcements, but the Basque is thinking of giving an ultimatum in the offices at Molineux.

According to reports in the Mirror, Julen could jump ship with less than two weeks to go before the Premier League kicks off, if there is no new player arriving.

The reality is that Wolves' situation is going from bad to worse. The latest rumours point to another possible big exit, that of Max Killman, a centre-back who is being strongly tipped to join Napoli in a deal worth around £27 million.

To make matters worse, the 'Wanderers' could lose out on one of the biggest jewels of the British youth scene, Alex Scott who seemed to have been signed but who seems to have made a last minute choice to join Bournemouth, coincidentally in exchange for another Spaniard, Andoni Iraola.