‘Bid accepted’ - Wolves close in on Bristol City starlet as personal terms agreed

Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly had a bid accepted for Bristol City prospect Ashton Williams.

The Old Gold have convinced Williams to swap Ashton Gate for Molineux in what could be a pivotal move for his future career prospects. Football Insider reports Wolves have had an offer accepted — and this has been backed up by local publication Bristol Live.

Williams, who only turned 16 in May, is thought of very highly among the Robins’ youth ranks. Despite his inexperience, the teenager featured for Bristol’s under-21s during the season just gone, starting the Premier League Cup clash against Exeter City back in February.

Two months later, the prospect was named in the Wales under-16s starting lineup for the 3-0 friendly loss to the Netherlands. As described by Bristol Live, the defender played 86 minutes before being replaced by Cardiff City youngster Oliver Williams in the closing exchanges.

Wolves have swooped in early to brush away any potential competition as Bristol weren’t able to offer Williams professional terms until his 17th birthday, still some 11 months away. It’s easy for Premier League clubs to nab talents at this age with a compensation fee agreed in these instances.

That’s exactly what’s happened here as Wanderers have reportedly reached a compromise with Bristol. The player has agreed personal terms on an academy contract, too, with the view to turning professional around this time next year.

Wolves must make several major transfer decisions

Onto the senior Wolves setup, and it’s a huge summer ahead as Vitor Pereira seeks to build on the major progress made since the turn of the year. It won’t be easy for the Old Gold to improve on their 16th-placed finish as talisman Matheus Cunha left for Manchester United and fellow star man Rayan Ait-Nouri is expected to join Manchester City, but the ambition is there to move into top-half contention.

It’s a huge blow to lose not just one but two key first-team players but Pereira knew it would be a difficult project when he joined. Cunha’s departure was an inevitability due to his incredible past couple of seasons gathering widespread attention, while Ait-Nouri has been on City’s radar for quite some time.

Wolves losing any more key men after Cunha and Ait-Nouri could be severely detrimental, so it’s unlikely other bids will be accepted. Keeping hold of the likes of Andre and Joao Gomes is very important and the club are currently trying their best to convince captain Nelson Semedo to sign a new contract.

Cunha and Ait-Nouri will have to be replaced at the very least but Wolves are expected to conduct further incoming business in the coming months. Pereira wants to bring in a second striker to compete and rotate with Jorgen Strand Larsen, whereas another central defender is desired.

It’s likely Wolves will also look into signing a new goalkeeper, a right midfielder and players for the left wing-back and number 10 roles to replace those leaving. Birmingham World understands Manchester City’s James McAtee is being considered for the latter position, whereas shortlists are being drawn up for other positions.