After securing an impressive top-half finish last season, Wolverhampton Wanderers were looking to keep the momentum going by significantly improving upon their squad in the summer transfer window.

However, despite adding the likes of Matheus Nunes and Goncalo Guedes to their ranks, ownership group Fosun didn’t exactly have the best of windows, and these decisions may have played a part in Bruno Lage’s downfall this campaign.

After conceding just 43 Premier League goals last term - the fifth-best record in the division - for some reason, they decided to let Conor Coady join Everton on loan and release Romain Saiss after six years at the club.

Losing the captain was a shock, however, letting the Moroccan international leave was another monumental mistake by Fosun and Lage.

Wolves had a shocker on Saiss

Last season, the 32-year-old was a rock in the heart of the Old Gold defence. He helped his side keep 11 clean sheets in his 31 Premier League appearances, while also chipping in with two goals.

The defender was ranked first in the squad for clearances per game (4.8), second for interceptions per match (1.9) and fourth for passing accuracy (80%) - proving that he was a vital member of the squad heading into the current season.

However, the new contract terms offered to the player didn’t match his demands and he left when his deal expired, going on to join Turkish side Besiktas. Saiss was earning £25k per week last season and this decision not to offer him an extended deal, even just for another season, is looking incredibly foolish.

Having made 206 appearances for the Molineux outfit, he had been a crucial part of their journey from a Championship side to becoming Premier League regulars and his departure has clearly had a knock-on effect this season.

The team have conceded 19 goals in all competitions and currently find themselves languishing down in the relegation zone - something that resulted in Lage's sacking last month - with it looking as if it could be a long campaign for the Midlands club.

BBC pundit Danny Murphy dubbed Saiss as a “tower of strength” on Match of the Day last season and with every passing match that Wolves play, Fosun must be cursing themselves that they didn’t offer the player more money.

Wolves may not have found themselves in this much trouble had they done so.