A player Wolves reportedly have interest in has now been ‘exiled’ by his club.
Back in April, it was reported by Sky Sports journalist Johnny Phillips that Wolves liked Tommy Conway from Bristol City, and that there was ‘genuine’ interest in the youngster.
Conway, 21, has been with the Robins since the age of seven, and made his first-team debut for the club in April 2019 at the age of 19.
Striker Conway has clocked up 98 appearances for the club, and scored a fairly impressive 25 goals and laid on six assists.
There had been speculation about his future leading up to the summer, and Wolves were linked with a potential move for the player.
But there has been development today which may now cast doubt on any approach from the Molineux outfit.
Tommy Conway now exiled by Bristol City due to contract dispute, after links to Wolves earlier this year
It has been reported this evening by the Bristol Post that Conway has been forced to train with the U21s by manager Liam Manning, with his contract situation having taken an uncomfortable turn.
Conway’s deal expires next summer, and he has been refusing to sign a new deal at Ashton Gate and is, at least for now, not being considered as part of the senior squad.
The decision by Manning is described by the outlet as ‘tough but necessary’.
Apparently, the club and player have been in talks over a potential new contract for around a year now. Two offers have been made, both rejected by Conway.
The club are now set to sell Conway in this window because they don’t want to lose him for nothing.
The Bristol Post actually quote Manning as saying: “Tommy has had a contract offer on the table, which is an excellent offer. This has been turned down, and not negotiated with the player expressing a desire to leave.
“The decision has been made for him to train with the U21s, with the focus wholly on players who are fully committed to what we are trying to achieve.”
A potential opportunity for Wolves
It is described as an ‘exile’, but seemingly the situation is not really messy. It’s more, the player is digging his heels in with just a year left on his contract, in an attempt to get City to sell.
Manning doesn’t sound irate, and the situation just is what it is. Therefore, this is a potential opportunity for Wolves to explore, given the club were reported to be interested.
Conway – who was a part of Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad but didn’t get any minutes at the tournament – has been City’s top goalscorer for the past two seasons running, and last term he was crowned their Young Player of the Season.
Wolves have brought in Jorgen Strand Larsen already. But after him there is only Leon Chiwome in reserve in terms of out-and-out strikers. Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan have both shown they can do jobs up top, but they are arguably better out wide and off the main striker.
Sasa Kalajdzic will be injured until later this year, so perhaps O’Neil might look at this situation and see an opportunity.