The January transfer window is open for business and as ever, Wolves supporters will hope to see some fresh faces arrive at Molineux.
Wolves have seen immense improvement under new manager Vitor Pereira, escaping the relegation zone with two wins and a draw in his first three matches in charge.
The Old Gold host Nottingham Forest at Molineux on Sunday, and Pereira will be focused on preparing his side for a tough assignment.
However, with the transfer window now open, the Portuguese manager will have one eye on bringing in new players to bolster his first-team squad.
Wolves priority is signing two defenders this month and now a positive update has emerged in their pursuit of one Ivory Coast star.
Wolves prepared to offer £16.5m for Reims defender Emmanuel Agbadou
In just three days of the window being open, the Wanderers have hinted at where they’re shopping with several links to Ligue 1 stars.
It was reported this week that Wolves have opened talks to sign top target Kevin Danso, who also has interest from Premier League rivals.
Now, French outlet L’Equipe have revealed that Fosun are willing to pay €20m (£16.5m) to sign Reims defender Emmanuel Agbadou.
The same report also claims that enquiries have been made into the signing of promising Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, who Wolves were linked with in December.
With only Santi Bueno and Craig Dawson being Pereira’s only two fit senior defenders, the Portuguese will want to get deals quickly over the line.
Emmanuel Agbadou profiled
Wolves have had success previously signing an Ivory Coast international as Willy Boly became an incredible player for Nuno Espirito Santo.
27-year-old Agbadou, who sees his contract in France expire in 2028, could rise to prominence in a similar vein to Boly if he signs.
Standing at 6 ft 3 inches tall, Agbadou is a physically imposing presence who would add significant height and strength to Pereira’s backline.
The defensive destroyer has made 80 appearances for Reims across three seasons, including 14 in Ligue 1 this term.
During this time, Agbadou has been praised as ‘exceptional’ by data analyst Patrick Geraghty who profiled the centre-back, analysing where he stacks up among other defenders across Europe.
According to FBref, the Ivorian ranks in the top 15% for tackles in the past year, the top 13% for blocks and the top 17% for interceptions.
He’s also excellent with the ball at his feet, placing in the top 7% for progressive passes, the top 15% for progressive carries, and the top 1% for successful take-ons, evincing his ball-playing qualities.
Emmanuel Agbadou’s per 90 statistics (past year)
- 2.2 tackles
- 1.52 interceptions
- 1.72 blocks
- 87.2% pass completion
- 5.79 progressive passes
- 1.03 progressive carries
- 0.66 successful take-ons
Indeed, Agbadou looks like a tremendous all-round defensive talent who could help Wolves in their battle for survival.