Godwin ObajeWolves Close in on ‘Unicorn’ Fer Lopez as Replacement for Matheus Cunha
Wolves have taken a major step towards strengthening their attacking ranks this summer, with highly-rated Celta Vigo star Fer Lopez agreeing personal terms ahead of a potential move to Molineux.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the Midlands club have struck a long-term agreement with the 21-year-old playmaker as they look to rebuild following the high-profile departures of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri — deals which collectively brought in over £100 million.
New manager Vitor Pereira is wasting no time in reshaping the squad in his own image, with Lopez identified as a key target to bring creativity and flair to Wolves’ frontline. The Spanish starlet is seen as a long-term prospect, but one with immense potential.
Lopez, who has been described by journalist David Cartlidge as a “unicorn” due to his rare combination of technical ability and tactical intelligence, has enjoyed a breakthrough year in La Liga. He featured in 17 league games for Celta during the 2024/25 campaign, making seven starts and scoring two goals across 669 minutes of action.
While he remains a work in progress, his performances have clearly turned heads — and Wolves believe now is the right time to move before his value soars. The player’s release clause stands at €40million, but the presence of super-agent Jorge Mendes is thought to be helping move the deal forward on more favourable terms for the Premier League side.
Sources close to the talks suggest Mendes has worked some “magic” to negotiate a fee well below the clause, with the two clubs continuing to engage in positive discussions.
There is currently no definitive figure attached to the final deal, but optimism is growing that Wolves can wrap up the signing before pre-season begins. The aim is to have Lopez integrated early, giving Pereira time to assess how best to utilise him in the system.
The Spaniard is not expected to be a like-for-like replacement for Cunha — at least not yet. Club sources acknowledge the leap in expectations, but are confident Lopez has the right attributes to thrive with time and careful development.
“While he may be looked at as someone to take Cunha’s place in the squad, the chances of him living up to that level of performance are slim-to-none as he remains very raw and someone still in desperate need of development,” one insider noted.
However, Wolves remain convinced of the youngster’s potential, and Pereira is likely to supplement his attacking options with a more experienced forward later in the window to ensure balance and depth.
As it stands, the Fer Lopez deal is set to be one of Wolves’ headline moves this summer — a calculated risk on a rising star who could become a key figure at Molineux in the years to come.
Godwin Obaje
