Wolverhampton Wanderers are now closing in on sealing the deadline day transfer of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde after Wolves chiefs and RC Strasbourg Alsace agreed a fee.
That is according to Santi Aouna, with the Foot Mercato journalist noting that Bellegarde is poised to undergo a medical. Strasbourg have accepted an offer from Wolves worth €16m (£14m) and have given the 25-year-old permission to secure a last-gasp move to Molineux.
Bellegarde could carry out his medical in France before flying to England once all paperwork is signed. Aouna had already reported earlier on deadline day that the Strasbourg midfielder had accepted Wolves’ offer. The Old Gold met his demand for personal terms this afternoon.
Strasbourg ultimately accepted Wolves’ bid after Bellegarde made it clear to the Ligue 1 side that he wanted to leave. The midfielder had also entered the final year of his contract at the Stade de la Meinau in June. He had no interest in remaining an RCS player past this summer.
He moved to the Stade de la Meinau in July 2019 for his first career away from RC Lens after six years. Bellegarde graduated from Les Sang et Or’s academy in 2016 after earlier spells at Villetaneuse CS and Le Mans. He made his senior bow at 18 years, one month and two days.
Who is Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and how good is he?
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is a midfielder for the Ligue 1 team RC Strasbourg Alsace and is also a deadline day transfer target for Premier League side, Wolves. He has been at the Stade de la Meinau since July 2019 and has been a regular part of RCS’ first-team fold since arriving.
Strasbourg signed Bellegarde in 2019 after impressing with his academy club, RC Lens, over the previous two seasons. The midfielder offered seven goals and five assists over 75 games in all competitions. He further provided a versatile presence throughout their engine room.
Bellegarde continued to hone his attacking threat with Strasbourg to now earn interest from Wolves in a deadline day transfer. He also emerged as a key part of Patrick Vieira’s plans this term after the Arsenal icon arrived as the manager of the team bought by Chelsea’s owners.
His former coach, Steeve Koulekpatou, once praised Bellegarde for his ‘great speed’, as well. The midfielder is also ‘very intelligent’ and gives a lively presence in the engine room from a number of roles. Bellegarde is a typical all-action player with the ability to escape defenders.
Where and when was Jean-Ricner Bellegarde born?
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was born in Colombes, a commune based in the north west of Paris, on June 27 in 1998. He has also represented France at the Under-19, 20 and 21 levels but is yet to earn a senior call-up. Bellegarde last represented his county at the U21 level in 2019.
What position does Jean-Ricner Bellegarde play?
Managers have normally played Jean-Ricner Bellegarde as a central or deep-lying midfielder but the Wolves target can play mixed positions. The RC Strasbourg Alsace ace can also play as an attacking midfielder or a false nine. He has also even featured regularly on both wings.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s stats at RC Strasbourg Alsace
Wolves have targeted a deadline day transfer for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde as the midfielder is an attacking threat from throughout RC Strasbourg Alsace’s engine room and on their wings.
First-team, RC Strasbourg Alsace: 138 appearances, 8 goals, 16 assists