Wolves and Everton ‘ launch enquiry’ for Chelsea target, Aston Villa ‘rejected’ by winger

Wolverhampton Wanderers have made an official enquiry to West Ham United over the availability of target man Michail Antonio, according to a reputable report. Julen Lopetegui has already signed a forward this window with Matheus Cunha brought in from Atletico Madrid, but the new head coach is keen on another reinforcement up top.

Antonio, who has fallen down the pecking order at the London Stadium since the arrival of Gianluca Scamacca, has also attracted interest from Everton and Chelsea. West Ham are said to be willing to let the 32-year-old leave on a permanent transfer, but it remains unknown how they feel about the Jamaican exiting on a temporary basis.

The Athletic reports Wolves and Everton have enquired about Antonio, while Chelsea have also registered intrigue. The Hammers have lined up Lorient striker Terem Moffi as a replacement, it is claimed, as David Moyes’ side have made a bid of up to £25 million for the attacker. Moffi has scored 12 goals in 18 Ligue 1 matches this campaign - just one fewer than global superstar Kylian Mbappe.

Wolves and Everton could really do with another option up as both clubs are struggling for goals and are deep in the relegation battle as thing stand. Antonio has failed to maintain his form since, but the West Ham ace enjoyed his best goalscoring season to date last term as he netted 13 times in 45 starts.

He has proven himself as a consistent forward having scored 10 goals in the two campaigns previous and more than seven on three other occasions. A physical target man capable of causing real issues for defenders, Antonio could add another dimension to teams in the bottom three fight. West Ham will be wary of potentially improving their rivals, though, as they too are right in amongst it.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa ‘turned down’ by former Premier League winger

In other West Midlands transfer news, Wolves’ local rivals Aston Villa have reportedly been handed a rejection after making an enquiry of their own. BirminghamLive reports the Lions made an approach to Udinese for ex-Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu, with Unai Emery said to be impressed by the Spaniard’s recent form.

The 28-year-old struggled during his last spell in the Premier League as he scored just four goals and contributed only five assists in 30 appearances during the 2019/20 season, as Watford were relegated. Since then, however, Deulofeu has got back to his best again with his 2020 transfer to Udinese.

The versatile forward has recorded 32 direct goal contributions (18G, 14A) in just 67 matches across all competitions for the Italian side, putting himself back on the radar. The player himself has responded to the recent transfer speculation, however. “It has happened a lot in my career with various transfer windows,” Deulofeu told CBS.

“I have learned in soccer and in life that you have to live in the present, think, and be happy. I am here and I am happy. I want to stay here and I do not care about the future. What happens is going to happen but being happy is the most important thing for me and I am happy. Udinese is an amazing family organisation,” Deulofeu continued.