Matt Doherty D Wolves b.1992

**tetsujin1979** · 11/07/2023, 1:56 PM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

(From last September)
"Wolves have signed exciting Mali midfielder Boubacar Traore on a season-long loan, subject to visa and work permit.
As part of the deal, Wolves hold an option to turn the move permanent next summer, which will also happen automatically should certain clauses be triggered."
https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-f...ns-for-wolves/

Apparently those clauses were triggered, meaning they had no choice but to buy him. Which would fit with the general picture from Molineux i.e. that Wolves are beyond skint.

Despite joining in September. He only played 11 times for them across the season, so the clauses must have had some low settings

**EalingGreen** · 11/07/2023, 3:11 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Despite joining in September. He only played 11 times for them across the season, so the clauses must have had some low settings

Seemingly so.

This is what the local paper was saying in mid-December:

"Boubacar Traore's loan at Wolves is set to be made permanent as clauses in the deal to bring him to Molineux are to be triggered, the Express & Star understands.

Wolves signed the 21-year-old in the dying hours of the summer transfer window on a season-long loan from French club Metz, with a £9.5million option to buy him next summer.

However, Wolves also confirmed that the loan would automatically become permanent if certain clauses were triggered.

Now, the Express & Star understands that the £9.5million deal is set to be triggered on his appearances in a Wolves shirt. The number of appearances needed is understood to be very low and it is a matter of when, and not if, Traore signs permanently.

The midfielder has already played nine games for Wolves and with the second half of the season to come, it is expected to be a formality that he stays with the club."
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport...t-wolves-move/

I think we can take it that Traore's Agent is Jorge Mendes, so that the player's contract with Wolves was negotiated by him and he gets a cut when the deal becomes permanent.

I mean, lots of people feel that Mendes virtually runs the club, or their Recruitment operation, at least:
https://talkingwolves.co.uk/news/opi...mendes-wolves/

No prizes for guessing who Matt Doherty's Agent is...

**EalingGreen** · 11/07/2023, 5:08 PM

Meanwhile, talking of Wolves + Low Settings, this one from January makes Traore look like a veritable bargain:

Wolves complete £44m transfer after bizarre clause triggered

Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially signed Matheus Cunha on a permanent deal after activating a clause.

Strangely, the clause that has seen Wolves pay Atletico Madrid the player's transfer fee is after he played three matches. Those appearences came against Aston Villa in the Premier League, Liverpool in the FA Cup and Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. Cunha is yet to start a game for Wolves after coming off the bench in all three of his appearances so far.
More here: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/spo...after-25964269

If Mendes does as well for his clients as he does for himself, it's no wonder The Doc doesn't need to take the Saudi cash.

**tetsujin1979** · 11/07/2023, 7:34 PM

Three appearances is a ridiculously low bar to trigger a transfer, isn't it usually at least 20?
Cunha did play 20 games for Wolves last season, and scored twice, so it probably would have gone through anyway.

**EalingGreen** · 11/07/2023, 9:43 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Three appearances is a ridiculously low bar to trigger a transfer, isn't it usually at least 20?
Cunha did play 20 games for Wolves last season, and scored twice, so it probably would have gone through anyway.

Very true.

As against that, if a player is on 17 or 18 appearances with eg half a dozen league games remaining until the end of the season, but the owner is having second thoughts or is pushed for the transfer fee, it is not unknown for him to have a quiet word in the Manager's ear to see that the player remains on the bench until the qualifying period is over.

Of course Mendes is far too clever to fall into that trap, indeed he turns it round to use it against the club.

**elatedscum** · 12/07/2023, 8:25 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Three appearances is a ridiculously low bar to trigger a transfer, isn't it usually at least 20?
Cunha did play 20 games for Wolves last season, and scored twice, so it probably would have gone through anyway.

I’d expect it was some FFP workaround.

Rather than sign the player immediately- loan him, with an obligation to sign for the following season if clauses are met. Ridiculously low Loan fee paid immediately. First payment of transfer fee can be paid once clauses are met (so within weeks) - but transfer fee is pushed into next year’s accounts for FFP…

**EalingGreen** · 12/07/2023, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by elatedscum

I’d expect it was some FFP workaround.

Rather than sign the player immediately- loan him, with an obligation to sign for the following season if clauses are met. Ridiculously low Loan fee paid immediately. First payment of transfer fee can be paid once clauses are met (so within weeks) - but transfer fee is pushed into next year’s accounts for FFP…

Makes sense; possibly also tax impiications?

Either way, after all this "kicking the can down the road" they look finally to have run out of road, hence the emergency sale of anyone who will fetch a fee, to be replaced by free transfers like eg Doherty.

You have to wonder, just how much has Mendes taken out of the club for himself, and how have their owners allowed him to get away with it? Unless they're benefiting in some way too?
https://www.wolves.co.uk/club/about-us/ownership/

**Fixer82** · 19/07/2023, 5:58 PM

Returning to Wolves apparently

**JR89** · 20/07/2023, 3:22 PM

Officially a Wolves player again and supposedly signed a three year deal too.

**Predator** · 21/07/2023, 10:22 AM

It will be interesting to see how he is used by Lopetegui, who I believe favoured four at the back when he came in. We know that Doherty thrives in the wing-back role more than the full-back role. He's up against Nelson Semedo and to a lesser degree Jonny, right?

**seanfhear** · 21/07/2023, 10:44 AM

Centre-back = = Doherty is destined to play centre-back.

**Predator** · 21/07/2023, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

Centre-back = = Doherty is destined to play centre-back.

The thought did cross my mind...

**seanfhear** · 21/07/2023, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Predator

The thought did cross my mind...

It is written in the annals of the stars.

**Fixer82** · 21/07/2023, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

Centre-back = = Doherty is destined to play centre-back.

Really? Is he good enough in the air?

**seanfhear** · 21/07/2023, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Really? Is he good enough in the air?

Is John Stones ?

**Fixer82** · 21/07/2023, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

Is John Stones ?

That’s not the question

**seanfhear** · 21/07/2023, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Really? Is he good enough in the air?

I have not noticed that being weak in the air is a part of Matt Doherty's game ~ ~ How many big / good in the air centre forwards do you get these days ~~ I suppose that still leaves set pieces to deal with.

**JR89** · 21/07/2023, 1:04 PM

He's covered CB before but that's when Wolves played with a back three. I'd say Doherty is likely coming back to be back up that can cover RB and LB. Wouldn't be depending on him as a first choice FB.

**JR89** · 29/08/2023, 8:29 PM

Started tonight against Blackpool and Wolves have went with a back three with yours truly starting RCB. Doherty managed to score himself a brace though from CB.