Wolves transfer twist: Santiago Bueno emerges as likeliest departure as Bertrand Traoré arrives, while Bellegarde’s future remains unclear
Wolverhampton Wanderers may have closed the main transfer window, but the uncertainty around several senior players means the summer business at Molineux is not necessarily finished.
César Peixoto has admitted that Wolves could still make another addition, with the manager specifically leaving the door open for another winger. At the same time, reports have raised questions over the futures of Santiago Bueno and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, creating an intriguing situation as the club attempts to rebuild following relegation to the Championship.
The latest development is the emergence of Bueno as the player considered most likely to leave, while former Sunderland winger Bertrand Traoré is reportedly being discussed as a possible free-agent addition.
For Wolves, this is more than simply another transfer rumour. It reflects the difficult balancing act facing Peixoto: rebuilding a squad capable of fighting for promotion while simultaneously deciding which players remain central to the project.
Peixoto’s Wolves rebuild is still taking shape
Wolves entered the summer knowing that relegation from the Premier League would bring major changes.
The club’s official retained list confirmed that a number of players would depart, while several senior figures remained under contract. Bueno and Bellegarde were both included among the players retained, meaning any departure would require a subsequent decision involving the player, Wolves and a potential buying club.
Peixoto has already overseen considerable change.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Birmingham City, the Wolves boss explained that the club had changed two goalkeepers, brought in Ghislain Konan at left-back, added Jordan James, Sean [Edozie] and Rafiki Said, while also acknowledging that it is impossible to completely transform a squad when players still have contracts.
That last point is particularly important.
The manager cannot simply remove every player who was part of last season’s relegation campaign. Some remain valuable, some remain under contract and others may still have an important role to play in the Championship.
But Bueno’s situation appears different.
Why Santiago Bueno has become a player to watch
Bueno was signed by Wolves from Girona in August 2023 for a reported £8.5 million and initially arrived with a reputation as a promising Uruguay international centre-back.
He has since experienced the highs and lows of Premier League football with Wolves.
The 27-year-old is now facing an uncertain situation at a club that has dramatically changed its circumstances. Wolves are no longer preparing for another Premier League campaign; they are trying to earn promotion back to the top flight.
That changes the equation for everybody.
Reports earlier in the summer indicated that Bueno had attracted interest from Premier League clubs and that his preference was understood to be remaining in the top flight. One report specifically said Wolves wanted to keep him, while another reported that several Premier League clubs had been monitoring him.
And there is another significant detail.
Bueno had not featured for Wolves at the beginning of the new Championship campaign. ESPN’s current profile lists him with no starts or substitute appearances in the 2026/27 Championship.
That changed this week.
Peixoto confirmed that Bueno had returned to the squad and could now be considered an option after completing the physical work required following his later return from the World Cup. The manager explained that he had initially prioritised players he knew would remain, because there had been uncertainty about whether Bueno and Ladislav Krejci would stay.
Now, however, Peixoto says the situation is clearer: they are staying and are available to him.
That statement is important because it appears to contradict any suggestion that a departure is already agreed.
So, at this stage, Bueno’s potential exit should be viewed as transfer speculation rather than a confirmed Wolves decision.
But why could Bueno still leave?
The answer is simple: Premier League interest.
If a top-flight club makes a sufficiently attractive offer and the player wants to remain in the Premier League, Wolves could face a difficult decision.
Bueno is under contract and Wolves have no obligation to sell simply because a player attracts interest. But relegation changes the financial landscape, and the club must also consider squad balance and its promotion strategy.
There is also a sporting argument.
If Peixoto believes he has enough centre-backs without Bueno, the manager could potentially accept a sale and redirect resources elsewhere.
On the other hand, losing an experienced defender would carry its own risks.
Wolves need defensive stability if they are serious about returning to the Premier League at the first attempt. Peixoto himself acknowledged ahead of Birmingham that defensive organisation was one of the areas that needed improvement.
That makes Bueno’s situation especially interesting.
If Wolves sell him, they would be weakening an area the manager has openly identified as requiring improvement.
Bertrand Traoré adds another layer to the story
The potential arrival of Bertrand Traoré makes the situation even more intriguing.
The Burkina Faso international is an experienced attacking player who has previously played for Chelsea, Ajax, Lyon, Aston Villa and Villarreal. He also spent the 2025/26 season with Sunderland. His Premier League experience makes him an attractive option for a Championship club looking for additional attacking quality.
Traoré’s Sunderland spell ended with him becoming a free agent, according to current player information.
His availability is therefore potentially significant for Wolves.
Peixoto has repeatedly said that he wants another winger.
After the transfer window closed, the manager stated that Wolves were still looking at whether they could bring in one more player and specifically described the target as a winger.
That statement immediately provides context for reports linking Wolves with Traoré.
The move would also make sense from a squad-building perspective.
Wolves have already added young players and players capable of fitting into Peixoto’s new system. Traoré would bring something different: experience, versatility and a history of playing at a high level.
The 30-year-old can operate as a winger or attacking player and has played in several major European leagues. His career includes a £17 million move from Lyon to Aston Villa in 2020, demonstrating the level at which he has previously operated.
However, Wolves would need to consider his recent injury history. Traoré missed significant periods during the 2025/26 campaign with knee problems, according to available player records.
That means any move would naturally need to be assessed from both a sporting and physical perspective.
Then there is Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
While Bueno has become the more prominent defensive departure story, Bellegarde’s situation may be even more complicated.
The midfielder joined Wolves from Strasbourg on deadline day in September 2023, signing a five-year contract. He arrived as a versatile attacking midfielder capable of playing centrally or in wider positions.
He is now 28 and remains under contract.
But reports have emerged linking him with Saudi Arabian club NEOM.
Sports Mole reported in late August that Bellegarde had emerged as a target, while other reports stated that contact had been made regarding the Haiti international.
This is another situation where caution is necessary.
There is a reported interest, but that does not automatically mean Wolves are preparing to sell him.
In fact, Bellegarde’s importance to Peixoto could increase if other attacking players leave.
He possesses the ability to play between midfield and attack and can operate in wide areas. Those qualities could make him useful in the Championship, especially during a long season where Wolves will need squad depth.
The timing makes everything more interesting
Wolves’ current situation is particularly unusual because the main transfer window has closed, yet the club still has options.
Peixoto confirmed that Wolves are continuing to examine the free-agent market.
That is where Traoré potentially becomes relevant.
A free agent can provide an opportunity for Wolves to add experience without needing to complete a conventional transfer involving another club.
At the same time, departures can still happen in certain circumstances depending on the relevant registration rules and markets involved.
For Peixoto, however, the priority has to remain the football.
Wolves have started the Championship season with seven points from their first three matches before suffering their first defeat against West Ham.
The 4-2 defeat at the London Stadium exposed some of the problems still facing the team, with Wolves creating opportunities but failing to take enough of them.
The manager now wants a reaction against Birmingham City.
That means uncertainty surrounding senior players cannot be allowed to dominate the dressing room.
Peixoto’s comments reveal the club’s thinking
Perhaps the most revealing part of Peixoto’s recent comments is not what he said about individual players, but how he described the squad as a whole.
He acknowledged that Wolves had changed a lot but could not change everybody.
The club has contracts to respect, and the manager believes there is more quality within the group than had previously been shown.
That philosophy could ultimately decide Bueno and Bellegarde’s futures.
If Peixoto sees them as important players, Wolves may resist approaches.
If the right offer arrives and the player wants to leave, however, the club may decide that a sale is the most practical solution.
Bueno’s case is particularly fascinating because Peixoto has now explicitly said that he is staying.
That does not necessarily mean the door is permanently closed.
It simply means that, as of the latest public comments, Wolves are treating Bueno as part of the squad.
What happens next?
The next few days could therefore be crucial.
If Traoré joins Wolves, Peixoto would gain another experienced attacking option at a time when he has admitted that he wanted more depth on the wing.
If Bueno stays, Wolves retain another experienced centre-back and potentially strengthen their defensive options.
If Bellegarde remains, Peixoto keeps a versatile midfielder who can contribute both centrally and in wider areas.
But if any of the three leave, the manager could find himself needing to adjust his plans once again.
For Wolves supporters, that is the frustrating part of the current situation.
The club is attempting to build a team capable of returning to the Premier League, but the squad is still undergoing transition.
Bueno’s name may be attracting the most attention as the likeliest departure, yet Peixoto’s own words suggest that there is no confirmed exit at present.
Bellegarde’s Saudi interest adds another layer of uncertainty.
And Traoré’s potential arrival could give the squad an experienced attacking weapon exactly where Peixoto has admitted he wants another option.
The bigger picture
Ultimately, Wolves’ transfer story is no longer simply about who they can sign.
It is about deciding who should remain at Molineux for the promotion fight.
Bueno has Premier League experience and remains under contract. Bellegarde offers versatility and experience in midfield. Traoré, meanwhile, could potentially arrive without a transfer fee and provide another attacking option.
The decisions made now could have a significant impact on Wolves’ season.
Peixoto has already made it clear that he believes this squad contains more quality than it showed during the previous campaign. He also believes that quality is beginning to emerge.
The challenge is turning that belief into results.
Wolves have already suffered their first setback of the Championship campaign against West Ham. Their response against Birmingham will provide another indication of whether Peixoto’s new-look side can compete consistently.
And while the attention around Santiago Bueno, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Bertrand Traoré may dominate the headlines, the underlying question is much bigger:
Can Wolves finally settle their squad and give Peixoto the stability he needs to launch a serious promotion challenge?
For now, Bueno appears to be the most likely senior player to attract an exit, Bellegarde’s future remains a genuine talking point, and Traoré could provide the attacking reinforcement Peixoto has openly admitted he still wants.
Nothing about the situation is completely settled yet.
And that could make the coming days very interesting at Molineux.