The latest transfer news as Wolves and Leeds United miss out on a free agent target.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly one of several Premier League teams to have been turned down by a free agent this week.
The Old Gold were in the market for a new central midfielder at the end of the summer transfer window but weren’t able to lure one to Molineux. It wasn’t a priority for Vitor Pereira, but adding another option in the centre of the park would’ve helped for squad depth purposes.
Josh Brownhill emerged as a target for Wolves late in the window and talks were reportedly held with his representatives. Wanderers were hopeful as Brownhill turned down a move to Leicester City in the Championship, however they were ultimately unsuccessful in their pursuit.
Wolves and Leeds ‘shunned’ by midfielder
It turns out Wolves and Leicester weren’t the only teams to see their interest in Brownhill rebuffed. According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey, the midfielder has ‘shunned interest’ from Wolves, Everton, Leeds United and Brentford in favour of a move abroad.
It’s claimed Brownhill has ‘agreed terms’ on a move to Saudi Arabia to join Pro League club Al Shabab. The 29-year-old has rejected every approach from the Premier League and is ‘due for a medical’ ahead of penning a two-year contract worth around £100,000 per week.
Brownhill stormed the Championship last season, scoring 18 goals and notching six assists in 42 matches. Before that, Brownhill racked up 111 appearances in the Premier League. The midfielder won’t be adding to that tally any time soon, though, with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia preferred.
It’s a blow for Wolves and the likes of Leeds, Everton and Brentford but the wages on offer at Al Shabab were seemingly too good to turn down. The Premier League sides interested can probably make better use of those funds, so not all is lost.
New striker bolsters Wolves ranks
Wolves didn’t have a completely unproductive deadline day, as striker Tolu Arokodare checked in from Belgian club KRC Genk. The 6ft 7in attacker, who scored 17 goals and provided six assists in 30 Jupiler Pro League appearances last term, is expected to start up top alongside Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Pereira was often frustrated by a lack of depth in attack last season, however he has more options with Arokodare now in the team. It may take a little while for the four-time Nigeria international to settle, but he should be able to eventually add some much-needed fire power.
Including Strand Larsen’s loan from Celta Vigo turning permanent, Wolves completed seven signings in the recent summer window. To begin with, promising winger Fer Lopez followed Strand Larsen in from Celta for around £19.5 million, versatile attacker Jhon Arias joined from Fluminense and David Moller Wolfe arrived from AZ Alkmaar to replace Rayan Ait-Nouri.
There was a flurry of activity in August as Wolves lured three others to Molineux. Speedy right-back Jackson Tchatchoua signed from Hellas Verona, central defender Ladislav Krejci arrived from Girona and Arokodare’s deal was finalised on deadline day.
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