Report: One of Wolves’ highest earning players could now follow Tommy Doyle to Birmingham
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ summer clear-out shows no signs of slowing down, with reports now suggesting that one of the club’s highest-paid players could follow Tommy Doyle to Birmingham City.
Wolves have been rapidly reshaping their squad over the past few weeks, with a number of notable departures already confirmed. The club’s transfer window began with a flurry of exits — including Matheus Cunha’s high-profile switch to Manchester United, Rayan Ait-Nouri’s move to Manchester City, and veteran players Pablo Sarabia and Craig Dawson leaving upon the expiration of their contracts.
Right-back Nelson Semedo has also left the club after running down his deal, and is currently a free agent with no signs of returning to Molineux. Additionally, some loan deals have materialized, with defender Nasser Djiga heading to Rangers, and midfielder Tommy Doyle completing a temporary switch to newly-promoted Championship side Birmingham City.
Now, it appears Doyle may not be the only Wolves player making the move to St Andrew’s.
Hwang Hee-chan Linked with Shock Switch to Birmingham
According to emerging reports, South Korean international Hwang Hee-chan has surfaced as a serious transfer target for Birmingham City. The forward endured a disappointing 2024/25 campaign at Wolves, struggling to recapture the electric form he showed the previous season. Despite a promising 2023/24 — where he was a standout performer under then-manager Gary O’Neil — Hwang was unable to maintain his momentum under current boss Vitor Pereira.
That dip in form came despite Hwang signing a new contract last year that placed him among the club’s top earners. However, with Wolves keen to trim their wage bill and refresh the squad, a summer exit is now being strongly considered.
Veteran South Korean journalist Han June reported via Football Asian that Birmingham City have identified Hwang as a priority target. The Championship side, freshly promoted from League One, are reportedly weighing up a move for one of two South Korean stars: Hwang or Jeonbuk Hyundai winger Song Min-kyu. Due to his Premier League pedigree and physicality, Hwang is said to be their preferred choice.
Adding fuel to the speculation, fellow South Korean journalist Joel Kim posted on X (formerly Twitter):
> “I’ve personally been sitting on this for a while now. Past few weeks through multiple ITKs on both the #BCFC and #WWFC sides, I’ve heard rumblings that Birmingham have pursued Hwang for a loan-buy deal. Wolves want a straight transfer. I understand Hwang is keen on joining Blues.”
This aligns with growing whispers that Hwang is open to a new challenge, and views Birmingham as an opportunity to revive his career in a competitive league where he already has experience.
Would Wolves Let Hwang Go?
Letting Hwang leave would certainly mark a significant decision for Wolves, given the impact he once made and his status as one of the more experienced forwards in the squad. However, at 29 and with a heavy wage burden, the club may feel it’s time to move on — especially as they consider reinforcements such as Jhon Arias, whose arrival could push Hwang further down the pecking order.
What’s surprising is the potential destination. Birmingham, despite being a club rich in history, have only just returned to the Championship after a stint in League One. But their ambitious project under wealthy American ownership is making headlines. The acquisition of Tommy Doyle on loan is seen as a statement of intent, and landing a player of Hwang’s calibre would underscore their promotion aspirations.
Financially, however, it won’t be straightforward. Wolves reportedly turned down a £21 million offer from Marseille for Hwang just last summer, and may still value him highly despite his recent dip in form. A permanent deal would require a strong financial package, unless a loan agreement can be structured — potentially with Wolves subsidizing a portion of his wages.
What Happens Next?
The situation remains fluid, but Birmingham’s growing interest is undeniable. With Hwang entering the final stages of his peak years and Wolves looking to reset under Vitor Pereira, the stars may be aligning for a transfer that few would have predicted even a month ago.
For now, all eyes will be on Birmingham to see if they follow up their interest with a concrete offer — and whether Wolves are willing to cash in on another high-profile name as their summer overhaul continues.