(Credit: Imago/Getty Images)
(Credit: Imago/Getty Images)

Stefan Borson drops verdict on Wolves taking ‘big gamble’ in January transfer window

James Murray

James holds a degree in Sports Journalism and Communications (MA) from the Real Madrid Graduate School. He has experience working for a number of local news outlets as well as the Sunday Mirror and Real Madrid TV. James is from Scunthorpe and has an affinity with Scunthorpe United, but is also a huge West Ham supporter and an expert on all things to do with the Hammers. He started working for Breaking Media in July 2023, initially writing on the Club Sites, where he specialised in West Ham content, before moving to Football Insider – where he is now an expert in football finance, speaking regularly with Stefan Borson and Keith Wyness to generate high-quality content in all things related to finance in the Premier League, Football League, and Scottish Premiership.

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Wolves have a decision to make over their plans for the January transfer window as they look to avoid relegation this season. 

Rob Edwards has been confirmed as the new Wolves boss after deciding to leave his role at Middlesbrough just months after joining the Championship side. 

Edwards has taken over at Molineux with the club eight points from safety at the bottom of the Premier League table. 

Football Insider revealed on 12 November Wolves are expected to back Edwards with the necessary funds to make new signings in the January transfer window. 

Rob Edwards clapping at the Riverside Stadium
Rob Edwards has replaced Vitor Pereira as the new Wolves manager (Credit: Imago)

Wolves could face PSR issue after January spending

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Wolves will be facing a problem if they take a “big gamble” in January and it doesn’t work out. 

Wolves have faced profit and sustainability (PSR) issues over the past couple of years, with Premier League clubs only permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “You're looking at quite a cautious situation in January or a big gamble because if you go big and it goes wrong, you have got a problem. 

“And that's not just on PSR, but that gives you a problem next season. You're building up cost space into the next season, especially if you can't get players to sign on with contracts with very big wage reductions. 

“You would typically want to do 50 per cent wage reductions on those contracts. It’s not going be that easy to get players to sign up in January with a clause that says, ‘If as we expect we get relegated, your wages cut in half’. That's going to limit the number of players that you can attract.” 

Rob Edwards
Rob Edwards has taken over with Wolves sitting bottom of the Premier League (Credit: Getty Images)

Wolves were the second-highest spenders in the Premier League behind Manchester City in the latest January window, having backed former boss Vitor Pereira with three new signings. 

Wolves could trigger January spending after stunning twist

Borson insisted Wolves need to pick up at least three victories before the turn of the year. 

“It’s a very complicated situation for Wolves to navigate in January,” said Borson. 

“Ideally, really what needs to happen for them to is to stabilise the situation right now before 1 January. With three or four wins, that will change everything. But can they get three or four wins? I don't know. 

“They need a lot of points still. They've got Palace, Forest, Manchester United and Brentford at home. They’ve got Villa, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United away. These are the games before New Year. It’s very hard to see it. 

Wolves owner Jeff Shi at Molineux
Wolves decided to sack Vitor Pereira after their disappointing start this season (Credit: Getty Images)

“It’s not straightforward, so I think it's going to be very hard to see how they get themselves comfortable by then to do stuff in January.” 

Edwards’s first game in charge of Wolves will come against Crystal Palace on 22 November at Molineux. 

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