The latest transfer news as Wolves and Sunderland discover their fate in pursuit of a striker.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are in the hunt for a new centre-forward to compete with Jorgen Strand Larsen but have suffered a setback in one of their pursuits.
Vitor Pereira is yet to be fully satisfied with his options in attack to begin the new season and wants to correct that in the coming weeks. Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez have been signed to plug the gaps left by Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia’s departures but there needs to be a response to Goncalo Guedes’ exit and Fabio Silva’s expected departure. Sasa Kalajdzic could yet leave, too.
Strand Larsen was in superb form last term as he scored 14 goals during his debut Premier League season. The Norway international cannot do it all on his own, however, and Pereira insists he needs another option to turn to. Wolves may not be in Europe but it’s a long campaign regardless and Pereira could face real trouble if Strand Larsen picks up any injuries along the way.
Wolves handed brutal £21m transfer response
One player Wolves have reportedly been keen to sign to bolster their quality and depth up top is Nantes star Matthis Abline. The 22-year-old, nine times a France Under-21 international, became one of Nantes’ first names on the team sheet last term as he scored nine goals and provided two assists in 34 Ligue 1 appearances.
Predominantly a centre-forward but more than capable playing off both flanks, Abline came through Stade Rennais’ academy before making the move to Nantes last summer after an initial loan move. In 94 career Ligue 1 appearances to date, Abline has scored 17 goals and notched five assists.
This form has attracted interest from Wanderers, but signing Abline may not be possible. A new report from French journalist Fabrice Hawkins suggests a deal won’t come to fruition as Albine has ‘said no to Wolves’, who were considering making a €25 million (£21.6m) offer to Nantes.
The striker is said to prefer the idea of remaining in Ligue 1, offering encouragement to newly-promoted side Paris FC, credited with an interest of their own.
Sunderland ‘cool interest’ in Abline
Wolves aren’t the only Premier League side to have been keeping tabs on Abline as Sunderland have been heavily linked with the Frenchman in the past few weeks. The Black Cats were widely reported to have seen a bid rejected for Abline at the start of July before they ended up signing Chelsea’s Marc Guiu on loan.
Sunderland appear to have left the race to sign Abline as a report from the Sunday Mirror - as cited by Mackem News - states Regis Le Bris’ side have ‘cooled their interest’. Guiu’s arrival doesn’t necessarily mean the Black Cats won’t sign another forward this summer, but it seems Abline won’t be making the move to the Stadium of Light.
In other transfer news, Wolves are searching for a new right wing-back to replace Nelson Semedo. With that in mind, the Old Gold have been offered the chance to sign a £15 million Championship star. Read on for the full story.
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