Wolves plot move for £8m forward to replace Leeds United and Crystal Palace target Jorgen Strand Larsen
Wolves have been linked with a late move for an exciting striker that dazzled at AFCON earlier this season
Premier League strugglers Wolves have reportedly entered the race to sign AJ Auxerre forward Lassine Sinayoko after his excellent performance at the African Cup of Nations.
Sinayoko scored three times for Mali as they reached the quarter-final stage before falling short to eventual champions Senegal.
He found the net against the likes of Zambia, Morocco and Tunisia to finish as the joint fourth highest scorer in the competition while also building on what has been a strong start to the season at club level in Ligue 1.
Wolves plot late January swoop for Sinayoko
Football Insider reports that Wolves are interested in signing Sinayoko before the end of the January transfer window.
Wolves are yet to make a first team signing under Rob Edwards and have mainly been focused on outgoings. There’s uncertainty about the future of both Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone between the posts amid reports of interest from Nottingham Forest and Tottenham respectively, while the club have also rejected offers for David Moller Wolfe and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The latter of those in Larsen is still likely to be the subject of further interest from Leeds United along with Crystal Palace before the window closes, making the striker position an area where the Old Gold could look to improve.
Sinayoko has shown he has the potential to fill that void after scoring six goals and registering two assists in 18 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, adding to the five goals and nine assists he managed last term as well.
The 26-year-old primarily plays as a centre forward but like Larsen earlier in his career, has proven that he’s also capable of playing a role on either wing.
At 6ft 1in, he’s slightly smaller than the Norwegian, but is also blessed with great aerial ability, strength and the ability to score all kinds of different goals for his team.
Sinayoko has spent his entire career at Auxerre having been on the books since 2017, and has played a massive role in the team’s rise back into the first division, winning promotion in both 2022 and 2024 from Ligue 2, qualities which could be useful for Wolves amid the prospect of relegation this term.
Sinayoko expected to be available for around £8m amid strong competition
Sinayoko’s stellar performances this season have attracted interest from both Wolves and a number of other sides in the market for a forward.
Championship leaders Coventry City are one of the clubs reportedly interested in Sinayoko as they strive to reach the Premier League for the first time in 25 years. The same applies to Edwards’ former club Middlesbrough, now managed by Kim Hellberg, who also find themselves on course for promotion in second position.
Sinayoko extended his contract until 2027 last week, but he is potentially available for around £8m, according to Football Insider.
Wolves as a current Premier League club will hope to hold the advantage in this particular battle, particularly if they receive the £40m price tag they have put on Larsen. If they do pull the deal off, it is likely to boost Leeds and Crystal Palace’s hopes of landing Larsen before the window shuts.