Premier League rule could force Wolves owners Fosun into summer transfer move

Wolverhampton Wanderers could be forced into a summer squad reshuffle due to the increasing number of senior overseas players within Bruno Lage’s first team.

Premier League clubs can name up to 25 players in their squad at the end of each transfer window, with no more than 17 of those registered allowed from overseas. Wolves named a 19-man squad at the beginning of February, following the conclusion of their January transfer window business, and 15 of those included are classed as overseas players.

John Ruddy, Conor Coady, Max Kilman and injured goalkeeper Matija Sarkic were the only homegrown (HG) players named by Wolves. Clubs didn’t have to name players who were born on or after January 1, 2000 - hence why first team stars Yerson Mosquera, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Ki-Jana Hoever, Pedro Neto, Chiquinho and Fabio Silva weren’t named.

However, Neto and January signing Chiquinho will need to be registered in the official squad next season in order to take part in Premier League games after both recently turning 22. If there were no further changes to the squad, Neto and Chiquinho’s additions would put Wolves at the maximum number of overseas players permitted. Wolves would therefore need to reshuffle their pack in order to add potential new signings from overseas during the summer transfer window.

Senior stars out on loan, such as Bruno Jordao and Patrick Cutrone, will also need to be registered if they form part of Lage’s plans for next season, as will Adama Traore if Barcelona don’t exercise their option to sign him permanently. Morgan Gibbs-White, meanwhile, will add to Wolves' homegrown quota.

Out-of-contract players Romain Saiss, Marcal and Joao Moutinho’s futures are yet to be decided, which could free up space as