Premier League new-boys Wolverhampton Wanderers regained their top flight status after walking the Championship last season. The big spenders won the division by 9pts ahead of second placed Cardiff City and rarely looked troubled throughout the whole campaign.

Alongside manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s appointment, the club’s considerable investment from their new Chinese owners has played a major part in their changed fortunes. Fosun International, the Chinese group of investors in question who purchased the club in 2016, have links to super agent Jorge Mendes, who represents the likes of Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, to name a few.

With both Fosun International’s finances and Mendes’ contacts in the game, the club were tipped to be a dangerous force moving forward and that’s exactly how it turned out to be in the Championship last campaign. The same could be on the cards this season in the Premier League, especially if the midlands club continue to splash the cash and carry on their momentum from last season into the new one.

A number of notable signings were made last season, especially when you consider they were a Championship side, with the likes of Porto’s Reuben Neves – arguably the best player in the division last season, Atletico Madrid’s Diogo Jota, Villarreal’s Alfred N’Diaye and Konyaspor’s Barry Douglas, alongside a whole host of other signings as the club looked to start the new era under their new owners and manager in style.

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Fast forward to the summer of 2018 and Wolves and their ‘recruitment advisor’ Mendes are continually linked with big names as they look to make their mark further. Names such as Valencia right-back Joao Cancelo, West Brom’s James McClean, former Manchester City stars Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli, and Paris Saint-Germain winger Goncalo Guedes have been in the frame. Willy Boly, who was with the club last season on-loan from Porto, and Mexico’s Raul Jimenez, signed on loan from Benfica, have already joined the club.

Should Wolves have another successful summer of recruitment then former Porto boss Nuno Espirito Santo could have another dangerous side to work with, even in a harder and more competitive Premier League.

(Image via https://twitter.com/sexi_seker)

The 44 year-old boss has won plenty of admirers in English football since arriving at Wolves, not only because of his ability to blend their team of foreign stars together, but also because he did it in an attractive, easy-on-the-eye manner. The owners love him, the fans adore him and the players all seemed to enjoy last season under him and his methods.

Judging by the bookies’ predictions, Wolves aren’t a relegation threatened side compared to other Premier League teams, which is quite something for a newly promoted club. Odds of 5/1 (Betfred) highlight the unlikelihood of that happening.

A more likely scenario perhaps, especially given the fact they’re coming into the league after a hugely positive Championship season, is a top 10 finish. Betfred have them down as evens to do exactly that. Alternatively, a top six finish is priced at 9/1 (Betfred)

A top six finish, which isn’t out of the question, especially if agent Mendes’ influence continues to bring in top talent from around the world, is priced at 9/1. A Betfred free bet welcome offer means you wouldn’t have to put down your own money with this offer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have aspirations to break the mould in England and compete with the best in the Premier League. They aren’t just there to make up the numbers. With a summer of further investment on the cards, the Wanderers could be a real force next campaign and beyond.