Even though he has money to spend Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy has told the club’s supporters he will not be paying over the odds for any new recruits who arrive at Molineux once the transfer window opens in three weeks' time.
McCarthy has gone on record as saying he wants to bring in a striker to spearhead his side’s Championship charge but yesterday questioned the opportunities the January window offers clubs such as his.
The former Sunderland and Republic of Ireland man claimed it is difficult to make quality signings in the New Year unless money is no object.
"The January transfer window can be something of a damp squib," McCarthy said. "Everyone sees it as a big opportunity to make a key signing but unless you've got fortunes to pay over the odds for players it doesn't always work out like that.
"If you look back historically at the business that's been done in January, it's not as big a deal as you might think.
"If teams are vying for promotion or battling relegation, they are not going to want to let good players go. And the Premiership teams always want to keep their squads as strong as possible.
"We are looking but I don't want people to think we are suddenly going to get a new telly and a new front room. We have the nucleus of a good side here who are giving me everything.
Chief executive Jez Moxey concurred: "We have been speaking with the manager and confirmed to him that money is available for the January transfer window, but I agree with Mick that any funds need to be well spent."
Former Wolves striker Vio Ganea is looking to secure a move back to England following his country’s entry into the European Union which means he no longer requires a work permit to play in the UK.
Ganea, who left Wolves at the end of last season and headed back to his homeland with Dinamo Bucharest, has enjoyed a remarkable campaign with 12 goals in just ten starts and he will play in tonight’s Uefa Cup game with Tottenham Hotspur.
A number of English clubs are set to take a look at Ganea, who at 33 is looking for a fresh chance.
"He would love the chance to move back to England and is hoping to do so in January," his representative Gary Williams said. "He really enjoyed his time at Wolves. He is playing phenomenally well at Dinamo and is back involved with the Romania national side."
It is understood Ganea will be able to move for a nominal fee.
