Jeff Stelling warns West Ham could derail Wolves' promotion push

Sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling believes that two factors could see West Ham halt Wolves’ march to automatic promotion from the Championship, noting the Hammers’ potential summer signings and Wolves’ spending needs. Both clubs fell from the Premier League earlier this year, setting up a tight race for the top spots.

West Ham and Wolves, alongside Burnley, were relegated from the Premier League earlier this season, with West Ham aiming to return after a 14‑year absence.

West Ham’s transfer moves

West Ham have already recouped significant funds by selling Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, but have added only Manor Solomon and Joel Veltman to Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad.

Wolves’ squad changes

Wolves have seen little squad turnover, though Rob Edwards was dismissed and replaced by Portuguese coach César Peixoto, with only Standard Liège winger Rafiki Said arriving for a fee and veteran striker Raúl Jiménez returning.

Window dynamics and predictions

The final two and a half weeks of the transfer window could reshape the race, as Championship clubs delay deals due to the World Cup and delayed pre‑seasons, while both West Ham and Wolves may spend further before the September 1 deadline.

"I think Wolves might go up automatically too. I think they might need to spend again," Stelling said on talkSPORT. "If they sign Troy Parrott and Jamie Vardy, then I'll flip that round with Wolves."

West Ham have been linked with Troy Parrott and Jamie Vardy; an €18‑20 million offer for Parrott was rejected, but a higher bid is expected, while Vardy is being considered despite his recent Serie A stint with Cremonese.

Parrott, 24, scored 17 goals for Excelsior in 2023‑24 and 51 in 95 games for AZ Alkmaar, making him a potential game‑changer for the Hammers, though his price may exceed £20 million.

Published Aug 13, 2026, 4:00 PM GMT+1, the piece was written by Ben Wignall, a football specialist who has worked at Football League World since December 2020, producing and editing content. He graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2017 with a degree in Sports Journalism, after covering football, WWE and UFC for GiveMeSport between 2018 and 2020. A massive Preston North End fan, Ben follows the club at Deepdale and also enjoys darts, cricket and horse racing. Give.