adminWolves Could Offload Highest Earner Gonçalo Guedes as Besiktas Prepare Talks
As Wolverhampton Wanderers begin shaping their squad for the 2025/26 campaign, one of the club’s highest-paid players is increasingly likely to be on the move. Gonçalo Guedes, the Portuguese forward who has had a turbulent time at Molineux since arriving in 2022, is now attracting serious interest from Turkish giants Besiktas.
Guedes’ departure could signal another major shift in the club’s ongoing rebuild under new head coach Vitor Pereira, who recently secured his first signing of the summer, Spanish forward Fer Lopez. But while new arrivals are expected in the coming weeks, the narrative so far has largely centered on departures.
⚽ Wolves’ Summer Exodus Underway
In what appears to be a deliberate reset, Wolves have already seen the exit of several senior figures. Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri have both been sold, while experienced professionals Craig Dawson and Pablo Sarabia left on free transfers. Meanwhile, Carlos Forbs has returned to Ajax following an unremarkable loan spell.
There is also uncertainty around Nelson Semedo, who has a contract offer on the table but may still depart the club. All these movements point to a shift in wage structure, squad dynamics, and long-term planning under Pereira and the Wolves hierarchy.
Against this backdrop, Gonçalo Guedes emerges as the next likely player to leave — and with good reason.
💰 Guedes: Wolves’ Highest Earner, Limited Impact
Following the exits of Cunha and Sarabia, Guedes has reportedly become Wolves’ top earner, taking home a salary of around £90,000 per week, according to figures from Capology. For a player who has been far from a consistent starter and whose long-term future at the club has always seemed uncertain, that wage bill is difficult to justify.
Guedes joined Wolves in the summer of 2022 from Valencia for a reported fee of £25.7 million, arriving with a strong reputation from both La Liga and the Portuguese national setup. However, his time in the West Midlands has been marked by inconsistency, multiple loan spells, and a general sense of unease.
To date, Guedes has made 51 appearances for Wolves, contributing 7 goals and 6 assists. While these numbers are not disastrous, they fall short of expectations for a player of his caliber and salary bracket.
🔄 Last Season: A Surprise Reintegration
One of the more unexpected developments of the 2024/25 season was Guedes’ return to the first-team fold. Initially expected to be moved on — especially after loan spells at Benfica and Villarreal — he was surprisingly reintegrated into the squad under then-coach Gary O’Neil.
During the campaign, Guedes made 33 appearances in all competitions, contributing 10 goal involvements. However, the majority of those contributions came in the first half of the season, and as the months wore on, his form and presence began to fade again. This patchy impact has further fueled speculation that Wolves might be better off letting him go.
🇹🇷 Besiktas Show Interest – Talks Expected Soon
According to Turkish outlet Takvim, Besiktas are keen to secure the services of Guedes, with club officials reportedly preparing to initiate talks with Wolves regarding a potential deal. The report claims that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, now in charge at Besiktas, has added Guedes to his summer transfer wishlist.
The Turkish giants are said to be willing to “make a strong effort” to land the 28-year-old forward. While no formal bid has yet been submitted, the interest is concrete, and Besiktas appear eager to understand the financial and contractual terms involved in completing the transfer.
Interestingly, earlier in the window, Brazilian club Flamengo were also linked with Guedes, although those rumors have since cooled.
📉 Time to Move On? Wolves’ Dilemma
Despite a few moments of flair, Guedes has never truly embedded himself into the Wolves squad or culture. His body language has been criticized by fans on numerous occasions, and there’s a lingering perception that the player has not shown the kind of commitment or passion typically demanded at Molineux.
Importantly, there has been no public statement from Guedes suggesting a desire to remain at the club long-term. His lack of outward enthusiasm and perceived disconnection from the team have only added to the speculation that Wolves are ready to cut their losses.
With Fer Lopez now part of the attacking lineup, and other forward targets reportedly on the club’s radar, Guedes’ role is becoming increasingly redundant. Wolves appear to be prioritizing younger, hungrier talent, making the continued presence of a high-earner with an uncertain future less appealing.
💸 Financial Sense: Freeing Up Wages for New Signings
Letting Guedes go — even at a significant financial loss — could make solid strategic sense. Offloading his £90k/week salary would significantly ease the wage bill, potentially freeing up funds for multiple signings or better contract renewals for key players.
Given that Wolves are unlikely to recoup anything close to the £25.7m they initially spent, the club will be keen to negotiate a deal that at least minimizes financial damage. Besiktas, known for their ambitious and at times aggressive transfer dealings, may represent Wolves’ best chance at doing just that.
🧭 What’s Next for Wolves and Guedes?
Whether a deal with Besiktas materializes or another club steps forward, it seems increasingly likely that Gonçalo Guedes has played his final games for Wolves. With his contract situation, form trajectory, and financial implications all pointing toward an exit, the writing appears to be on the wall.
From a squad-building perspective, parting ways with Guedes would mark another step in Vitor Pereira’s evolution of the team, potentially paving the way for more dynamic, system-fit attackers to come in.
For Guedes, the move could offer a chance to reignite his career in a new environment, with Besiktas offering the lure of European football and a fresh stage to rediscover his best form.
✅ Conclusion
Gonçalo Guedes’ time at Wolves has been one of flashes of brilliance amid a sea of inconsistency. While he has contributed when fit and motivated, the club’s strategic direction and financial priorities mean that his exit now feels like the natural next step.
With Besiktas preparing to open talks, Wolves have an opportunity to make a clean break and redirect their focus — and finances — toward building a more cohesive and committed squad for the 2025/26 season.
All eyes will now be on how quickly this transfer progresses and whether Wolves can turn what once seemed like a costly mistake into a smart piece of long-term business.
Godwin Obaje
