Wolves and Burnley have both had awful seasons, with both clubs having already been relegated from the Premier League.

In the Clarets’ case, this was not surprising given that they were always going to struggle after winning promotion, but fans are understandably upset that they did not put up more of a fight in the top flight.

Wolves have been on a downhill trend for years, but their slide this season has been dramatic, with cost-cutting by owners Fosun and terrible transfer market selections catching up with them.

Wolves and Burnley’s pay expenses will be expensive by Championship standards.

Given the disparity in finances between the top two divisions, Wolves and Burnley will enter next season with the expectation of gaining promotion, which is likely to be reflected in their pay costs.

They are set to be two of the top salary spenders, even if a number of players leave this summer, and the parachute payments they receive will allow them to operate on a considerably larger budget than most Championship rivals.

With that in mind, we take a look at the top FIVE earners at Molineux and Turf Moor right now, but keep in mind that these are only estimates.

Wolves and Burnley players’ pay are projected to be reduced by up to 50% due to relegation, resulting in a halving of estimated figures for the upcoming season.

Wolves
Joao Gomes – £105,000 per week.

Most Wolves fans would agree that Joao Gomes is the club’s best player, so it’s no surprise that Capology believes he is the highest paid player at Molineux, earning six figures each week.

Obviously, it would be impossible to sustain players on even half of that in the Championship, but Gomes will undoubtedly go this summer. Atlético Madrid has already expressed an interest in the Brazil international, and Wolves are expected to get a large sum for their midfielder, which will be used to fund a comprehensive rebuild.

Toti Gomes – £80,000 each week.

Again, these are estimates, but it’s fair to say that this would be even more shocking given Toti Gomes’ lack of appearances in the XI this season.

The left-sided centre-back has been a consistent performer throughout the years, and you would expect him to be one of the players who sticks around. However, if he is paid so well, Wolves may look to move Gomes on, even if relegation means there are better value options available.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – £75,000 per week.

It’s a similar situation for Bellegarde, who joined Wolves from Strasbourg in the summer of 2023. He has shown sporadic glimpses of skill in recent years, but he has struggled for consistency, and his salary may surprise you.

Again, he may be difficult to move, and it is unknown whether Bellegarde will stay. He might become a key player in the Championship, but, as we all know, money talks and huge decisions loom over the Haitian international, who is anticipated to play in the World Cup this summer.

Tolu Arokodare – £75,000 each week.

The striker hasn’t lived up to expectations since joining from Genk for about £24 million, and as yet another player who doesn’t always play, it demonstrates how poor Wolves’ recruitment has been that he is regarded to be another top earner at £75,000 per week.

When you pay such a high cost for a player, you expect them to be paid well, but Arokodare has yet to give anything close to value for money. A dressing room spat with Mateus Mane prompted reports that Wolves want to sell the Nigerian in the summer, but it may not be as simple as that, as they will not get their money back on the striker, and he may not get this money elsewhere, so it may take some time in the summer if he is not part of the plans.

Hwang Hee-chan – £70,000 per week

The South Korean international is said to be Wolves’ fifth-highest earner right now, having been at Molineux since 2021, but he has struggled in recent years, and many supporters would like to see Hwang leave this summer.

Again, his troubles will make finding a buyer difficult, but it appears best for all parties if the attacker left, whether on loan or permanently, as his current deal expires in 2028.

​​​​​​​Burnley
Kyle Walker – £75,000 per week.

Onto Burnley, Capology estimates that Kyle Walker is the biggest earner at Turf Moor, earning £75,000 a week, and given his status in the game, he was always going to command a high salary.

Walker signed a two-year contract with Burnley, so he still has a year left, and he has shown a desire to stay. Given his Premier League performances, it’s unlikely that Walker will attract many top-flight suitors, so unless he accepts a wage reduction or seeks a new challenge, the ex-England international might be a vital player in Burnley’s promotion push.

James Ward-Prowse – £57,500 per week

The midfielder joined Burnley on loan from West Ham in January, and it is believed that the Clarets have paid half of his salary.

As a result, keeping Ward-Prowse, who has a year left on his West Ham contract, is certainly a long shot, and much will rely on whether the Hammers are also relegated. If they aren’t, they will have to subsidize an even larger portion if Burnley wants the midfielder back, but if they are, a deal may become more plausible if Ward-Prowse’s salary drops.

Josh Cullen – £55,000 per week.

The Irish international sustained a major knee injury at the end of December, which was a huge blow for Cullen and Burnley. Unfortunately, his recovery will continue until next season, thus the midfielder is unlikely to leave this summer.

Cullen is expected to be a crucial player for Burnley next season once he regains full fitness, since he has shown himself at this level in the past and his influence on the club is apparent.

Lesley Ugochukwu – £50,000 per week.

Burnley paid roughly £20 million to get Ugochukwu from Chelsea in the summer, but he hasn’t made much of an impact in what has been a difficult season for the team overall. Given the sum paid, he was bound to be a top earner, therefore it’s no wonder he’s made this list.

Moving forward, it would not be surprising if Ugochukwu went, but Burnley may struggle to recoup their losses, as they have with several Wolves players. So that’s one to keep an eye on this summer, and it will obviously rely on if the Frenchman is committed to staying and helping the team return to the Premier League.

Marcus Edwards – £50,000 per week.

The attacker joined Burnley in January 2025 and helped them win promotion, thus his move was deemed permanent. Despite his undeniable potential, Edwards has yet to consistently demonstrate his abilities in the Premier League.

However, with three years remaining on his contract, Edwards may not have done enough to warrant a departure, and it is likely that he will be part of their plans next season.