Wolves January 2026 transfer outgoings
Wolves might be heading for the Championship, but there is a shift in mood at Molineux. Four games unbeaten under Rob Edwards has helped. So has the emergence of 18-year-old Mateus Mané, who already looks like a player opposition teams are planning for.
More importantly, there is a sense the club is planning beyond the next five minutes. In John Percy’s reporting for The Telegraph, Wolves are already talking internally about a long-term target of “Premier League 27-28.” That does not mean surrendering this season. It means decisions in this window are being judged by what helps the rebuild, not just what calms a bad week.
Percy also reports Wolves want a more joined-up recruitment process and less reliance on agent-led deals. A big lesson from the summer is clear: Wolves signed players without Premier League experience, while letting a lot of Premier League minutes walk out the door. Now the aim is to bring in starters (possibly through high-profile loans) and be flexible on departures where it makes sense.
That flexibility matters, because January 2026 is shaping up like a window where clubs will try to take advantage. Wolves are bottom, and everyone will assume our best players want out. But Percy makes a key point: Wolves are not helpless here. The squad has relegation wage-reduction clauses but no release clauses, so Wolves can still demand proper fees and refuse cheap deals.
With that in mind, here are the key potential Wolves outgoings this month, and what is being said about each.
Marshall Munetsi (loan to Paris FC looks close)
Munetsi is the most advanced story right now. Reports in mid-January say Wolves have agreed a loan move to Paris FC for the rest of the season. The deal is described as a straight loan with no option to buy, with Paris FC covering his wages and paying a loan fee. A medical being lined up usually means it is moving quickly unless something changes late.
From a fan point of view, it is hard to get too upset. If Munetsi is not in Edwards’ strongest midfield group, a loan that protects value makes sense. It also frees a non-homegrown squad spot, which can matter if Wolves want to do other business.
This could be a practical move that suits everyone, as long as Wolves replace the depth properly.
Jørgen Strand Larsen (big interest, Forest watching, and Wolves must hold out for a premium)
Strand Larsen’s name is not going away. The latest angle is that Nottingham Forest have him on their list of targets, but there has been no formal contact between the clubs yet. Still, there is an expectation at Molineux that Wolves’ resolve will be tested over the next two weeks, and the club are willing to stay firm and push for the best possible price if they do sanction exits.
If Forest make a move, it would likely need to be huge. Any deal may have to break Forest’s transfer record, currently set by Omari Hutchinson’s £37.5m arrival from Ipswich in the summer. Wolves also have contract strength. Strand Larsen signed a five-year deal in September after scoring 14 goals last season. This season has been mixed. He scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 FA Cup win over Shrewsbury, but has just one Premier League goal so far. Wolves are also reported to be willing to sell at the right price, having rejected bids from Newcastle in the summer.
This is where Wolves have to be ruthless. If we sell our main striker in January, we are waving the white flag unless a strong replacement is already lined up. Even if relegation feels likely, you still need goals to build momentum, protect young players, and avoid a total collapse. And if the club’s target really is “Premier League 27-28,” you do not get there by underselling top assets.
Keep him unless the fee is massive and the replacement is ready. Do not weaken the spine mid-season for anything less than top money. Also if you read my article for BBC Sport this week you will see I’m not a fan of selling to another club in the relegation scrap like Nottingham Forest or West Ham that have been muted to have an interest.
João Gomes (huge interest, no formal Atletico contact yet, and Wolves hold the leverage)
João Gomes is in that same top tier. There are reports of serious interest this month, but Wolves are under no pressure to sell. He has been linked elsewhere with big clubs including Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and Napoli.
The key update is that Wolves are yet to have any formal contact from Atletico Madrid for Gomes. Wolves are aware of Atletico’s interest as they look to replace Conor Gallagher after his £35m move to Tottenham this week. As with Strand Larsen, the expectation at Molineux is that Wolves’ resolve will be tested in the next two weeks, but they are prepared to stay firm to get the best price if they do allow him to leave.
Wolves also have strong leverage. Gomes moved to Molineux from Flamengo in 2023 and has made 113 appearances, scoring seven times. He signed a five-year contract in April, which leaves Wolves in a strong bargaining position even while sitting bottom of the Premier League. Gomes has not played for Brazil for almost a year and will want to revive his international career heading into the summer’s World Cup, but that should not reduce Wolves’ asking price.
If an offer comes in that resets the rebuild, you listen. But it still feels like a deal that makes more sense in summer than in January unless someone overpays.
André (linked as a target, but less concrete in public)
John Percy includes André in the trio of Wolves players being tracked. Midfielders with his profile will always attract attention, especially when a club is struggling. That said, the public noise around André feels less specific than the others, with fewer clear updates on bids or talks.
From Wolves’ side, he is also a player you can sell for proper money. If Wolves do move him, expect it to be because an offer hits a level the club sees as worth it, not because they are forced into it.
Not untouchable, but not a player you move cheaply personally I’d prefer to see Andre exit over Joao Gomes. If it happens, it should fund multiple upgrades.
Emmanuel Agbadou (Besiktas interest, Wolves rejecting loan approach)
Emmanuel Agbadou (Besiktas interest, Wolves rejecting loan approach)Agbadou is one of the more active situations. Besiktas have already failed with a low loan offer for the centre-back, and Wolves will not sanction a loan for the Ivory Coast international.
That matters because it shows Wolves’ policy in action. Wolves are open to deals, but only if the structure makes sense. If Besiktas come back with a serious permanent offer, this could run. But Wolves also have to weigh it against squad balance. Selling a starting centre-back in January is risky unless you have a replacement who can handle the Premier League quickly.
It’s reported that Wolves want around £20m for the centre-back, so if the offer is strong and a replacement is lined up, fine. If it is another cheap structure, reject it and move on.
Fer Lopez (being offered to Championship clubs, despite earlier Celta Vigo talk)
Reports claim Wolves have offered Fer Lopez out to Championship clubs, despite earlier suggestions he could return to Celta Vigo on loan. Lopez arrived from the La Liga side for £19m in the summer, but a lack of game time has fuelled the idea that a short-term reunion in Spain could suit everyone.
Instead, Wolves now seem open to a different route. With Lopez having played just 364 minutes in England, the thinking appears to be that a Championship move could give him the regular football he has not had at Molineux, while keeping him in the English game and helping him adapt. Whether it becomes a loan or a permanent deal will depend on offers, but the signal is clear: Wolves are open to moving him on this month if there is sufficient interest.
Over to you
Who would you sell this month if a big offer comes in: Strand Larsen, João Gomes, or André? And which outgoing would you push through first?
Comment your take.
ARTICLE BY EMMA AKA THE PRODUCER
Emma is the Producer and Editor at Always Wolves. Often behind the camera and does a lot of work including jobs like editing the podcasts, social media and the website.
Emma watches Wolves home and away and keeps Dave, Magic and Stan in check!
Emma is also the founder of Girls in Old Gold