Wolves weren’t interested in letting Fer López leave this summer, even after the midfielder made it clear to the club’s coaching staff that he wanted a move.
Celta Vigo were once again hoping to bring their academy graduate home. They weren’t his only possible destination either. Sporting and Benfica both showed interest in the 22-year-old.
Wolves, though, weren’t having any of it. Atlántico reveal the details on while looking back at what they call Fer López’s “impossible dream” of leaving Molineux.
Wolves wouldn’t budge
The newspaper explains that Fer López “wanted a change of scenery” following Wolves’ relegation to the Championship.
He tried to make that happen and “expressly communicated” his wishes to the coaching staff. Portugal then looked like a particularly attractive route.
Sporting and Benfica were both interested. His representation potentially helped make that an option too. Fer López is represented by Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency, which has strong connections in Portuguese football.
It still went nowhere. Atlántico say Wolves took an “inflexible” position throughout the window. They simply weren’t prepared to lose the Spaniard.
The message coming from England was pretty clear too. Wolves’ sporting project was said to “revolve around” the former Celta youngster.
That’s quite a show of faith in someone who spent the second half of last season back on loan in Vigo. But it also helps explain why Celta’s repeated attempts to bring him back never really had much chance of getting anywhere.
Wolves are already getting their reward
Wolves paid around €23m (£20m) to sign Fer López from Celta last year. That alone made a permanent return to Vigo extremely difficult. Celta simply couldn’t afford the sort of money it would have taken to buy him back.
A loan needed Wolves to play along. They had no intention of doing that either. And so far, their decision looks pretty smart.
Fer López has started the season with three goals and two assists in six matches. Atlántico say his performances have even left some Wolves supporters wondering how a player of his quality is still playing in the Championship.
For now, Wolves will be more than happy to have him there. Fer López now has to concentrate on helping them get back to the Premier League, despite wanting to leave only a few weeks ago.
There could be a nice financial upside for Wolves later as well. Atlántico point to summer 2027 as the next obvious moment for his future to become a talking point. If he keeps playing like this and Wolves win promotion, his value could climb considerably.
Celta may well keep dreaming about another reunion. Wolves clearly had other ideas this summer, and the opening weeks of the season are already showing why.
