For Wolves, the exits of Krejci and Bellegarde are now a matter of when, not if

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ summer transfer window shifted decisively on a humid August evening at Molineux, where the Old Gold faithful watched a quiet window stretch into its final weeks. By August 8 2026, the club had completed just three signings—Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez arriving on free transfers—while behind the scenes the exits of Ladislav Krejci and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde moved from rumour to near-certainty before the September 1 deadline.

Cesar Peixoto, the Portuguese head coach tasked with steering Wolves back to the Premier League at the first attempt, sought to steady supporters amid mounting frustration over the club’s transfer activity—or lack thereof. Speaking directly to fans, he said: “Since the first moment I talked with them and trained with them, all the players work very hard to try and do all I want from them. The team has started to grow up physically and tactically and understand the game. We stay at a good level but we have to improve more and more.

"Things are going to happen. There are delays because of the World Cup [but] we know what we need, we know what we are doing. There’s going to be changes. The market is delayed and we try to manage the situation. Some players will go out, some players will come. We're going to change a lot, but me, Matt and Nathan, we know what we are doing."

Fan pundit Thomas Woodhall, speaking to Football League World, named Krejci as the player whose departure would make the most sense. “I think the answer is Ladislav Krejci. I don't want to see him go; I think he's a quality player. I think he can play multiple roles. I think him next to Andre would be a useful combination if we're pressed for players in that area. He’s also a brilliant centre-back, of course.”

Woodhall added: “Apart from him, you really don't want to lose Fer Lopez. I think, for the necessity to the team with the amount we'll get, Krejci is just the one that makes sense. Yeah, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is another one that could go. I mean, I think he'll be really good in the Championship, but he's another one.”

Krejci, 27, arrived at Wolves last summer for around £26 million and made 28 Premier League appearances during the club’s relegation season. Bellegarde, 28, joined in the summer of 2023 for approximately £12.8 million and has since made 96 appearances in all competitions.

The possibility of Krejci’s exit has surfaced repeatedly during the window, with Leeds United initially linked before pivoting to Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic instead. With Toti Gomes, Yerson Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, and Nasser Djiga all competing for centre-back minutes, a move for Krejci appears increasingly plausible.

Bellegarde, now in his fourth year at Molineux, could be lured by a fresh challenge elsewhere, particularly if a competitive offer materialises. Peixoto, however, will be under no illusions about the slim chances of retaining both players.

As the transfer window approaches its September 1 deadline, Wolves face a pivotal balancing act: reshaping the squad while mounting an urgent Championship title challenge. Exits are coming, but the destinations, timing, and financial return remain the great unknowns.