Gutted about this as a Wolves fan.
I know the valuation seems a lot but it's pretty fair in the modern game. Maddison went for £20m+ a few years ago and MGW has the same stats as him and was the same age. Benrahma cost £25-30m as well, so that's the going rate for top Championship players, which MGW is proven to be.
However, unlike Norwich and Brentford in those instances, we're a Premier League club so that should add a bit more to his value. So, I think £30m is a fair price even if I understand why you would be sceptical.
If he won't sign a new deal we'd have to sell but I'd still be disappointed. We are in a position where we have to sell to buy generally, so letting him go into his final year of his deal makes no sense from our perspective.
In terms of his ability, he's class. He's got so much talent, finds space well, picks a pass and has added goals to his game.
He was unhappy with us that we recalled him from a loan spell with Swansea two seasons ago in January and didn't play him on his return, which was totally valid. Nuno didn't really fancy him for some reason and he was recalled in a bit of a panic with little thinking about his development
Under Lage we hoped he would be key but whilst he was very good in pre-season he was loaned out and that was believed to have annoyed him as well.
There were also issues between him and the fans. He was pictured at a party when lockdown was on with all these divs you get from Love Island or whatever and it didn't go down well, especially at that time. Certainly came across as flash and many of our fans would stupidly lay into his girlfriend on social media. Was all a bit nasty and may have contributed to him not wanting to be here.
People weren't too bothered that he went to Sheffield United and if we do sell him for £25-30m I guarantee you will read many Wolves fans say we've robbed you, you've overpaid etc. but I really don't believe that's the case.
I watch more Championship football than most, so that will influence their opinion. MGW hasn't actually done much for Wolves in his career to date but his quality with Sheffield United was clear to see.
He also played in the 3-4-3/3-5-2 for the Blades, so it left us a bit annoyed that we didn't do more to get him in our team.
The penny seems to have really dropped with him the last 12 months. He can still be a bit petulant at times when I've seen him but he was levels above the Championship and I would back him to go on to play for England the way he has improved.
Basically, this loan was sink or swim and he delivered.
Perhaps the only negative I could see is that there will be a lot of pressure on MGW if he moves to you if he's the big signing and whilst he's not a direct Richarlison replacement, there will be an expectancy for him to do well and maybe he wouldn't get eased in as he might at a Palace, Forest etc.