Gary O’Neil reveals Wolves faced a possible 10-point deduction next season if they had pushed for loan signing of Armando Broja – amid concerns over breaching Premier League financial rules

Gary O’Neil revealed Wolves faced a possible 10-point deduction next season if they had pushed the boat out to sign Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea.

Wolves tracked Broja throughout the winter window but twice decided they were unable to complete a loan deal without breaking spending rules. The 22-year-old has now joined Fulham for a loan fee of about £4million.

Wolves sold £140m worth of talent last summer but are still sailing close to the wind. Everton have already been docked 10 points this season for breaking the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules and face a potential second punishment before the end of the campaign, while Nottingham Forest could also lose points.

Asked why Broja did not move to Molineux, O’Neil said: ‘We couldn’t afford to go to where other clubs were able to go to without putting ourselves at risk. It’s the position the club’s in, the position they told me they were in when they spoke to me.

Wolves twice pulled out of a move for Chelsea forward Broja over spending concerns. He hs gone to Fulham on loan 

‘We could afford wages but some of the fees – obligations, loan fees, penalties for people not playing – were too much of a hurdle for us. We couldn’t get anything done.

‘We could have thrown our toys out of the pram, thrown a strop and demanded things, but all of that would have been jeopardising the good of the club and where we’re trying to go. I have huge respect for this club and what needs to be done.

‘We are in a good place financially at least where we haven’t broken any rules or taken ourselves into an area that we shouldn’t.’