Wolverhampton Wanderers are preparing for a pivotal January transfer window, with the club's disastrous Premier League form forcing a potential rethink of their summer business. A key part of that reassessment could see £19 million summer signing Fer Lopez depart Molineux on a temporary deal.
Struggling Wolves Consider Loan Move for Lopez
The Old Gold's miserable season hit another low on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, extending their winless run and leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table. Having taken just zero points from seven games under manager Rob Edwards, Wolves now find themselves a daunting 17 points from safety as the halfway point of the season approaches.
This dire situation has turned attention towards the January market, not for major reinforcements, but to facilitate moves for existing players who are not featuring regularly. According to a report from The Athletic, it is now 'likely' that Fer Lopez will be sent back to Spain on loan for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
Lopez's Difficult Start at Molineux
The 21-year-old midfielder arrived from Celta Vigo in the summer with high hopes, but his impact has been minimal. Lopez has managed just eight appearances in total, with only two of those being starts. The lack of consistent game time is understood to be the primary driver behind the potential loan exit, with the club hoping he can regain confidence and form with regular football elsewhere.
What happens beyond this proposed loan spell remains uncertain. Wolves will assess his development over the next few months, with options including reintegrating him into the squad, arranging another loan, or considering a permanent sale in the summer.
Early Promise Fades Amidst Team Struggles
Despite his recent struggles, Lopez's early days in England showed flashes of the talent that prompted the significant investment. Following a substitute appearance against Everton in August, Wolves icon Dave Edwards praised the youngster's 'elegance' and footballing intelligence on The Official Wolves Podcast.
"His actual intelligence off-the-ball is what makes him so effective. When he has the play, he's got that elegance about him," Edwards said. "Left-footers look nicer anyway don't they? But the way he travels with it and moves it... is so, so good."
Lopez did register an assist in the 3-1 defeat to Leeds United, setting up Ladislav Krejci's opener, but that positive contribution has been a rare highlight in a difficult collective period for the club.
As the January window looms, Wolves' primary focus remains on arresting their catastrophic league form. However, the probable departure of Fer Lopez on loan indicates a parallel strategy of managing their squad assets for both the immediate and long-term future.
