'Deal agreed' - Wolves midfielder on verge of £3m exit after manager's explosive comments
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Former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Mario Lemina is set to leave the club on transfer deadline day, with reports suggesting that the Old Gold have agreed terms on a £3m move to Galatasaray.
Lemina’s departure had been widely expected in the wake of a public falling-out with head coach Vitor Pereira, who told the media that he did not want players who were “not in a condition mentally to help the team”.
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Hide AdGabonese international Lemina, who joined Wolves from French outfit Nice in January 2023 and swiftly established himself as a first-team regular, had been stripped of the club captaincy by previous manager Gary O’Neil in December after becoming embroiled in a scuffle with West Ham players and his own coaches following a Premier League game at the London Stadium.
Unwanted Lemina enters exile
Lemina, who previously played for Juventus and Southampton, made 77 appearances for Wolves and became a fan favourite, winning last season’s Supporters’ Player of the Year award, but his time at the Molineux has ended in undignified fashion.
Following the unsavoury scenes against West Ham, Vitor Pereira revealed that Lemina had asked to leave the club, telling the media openly that “I don’t know what happened before me, but with this energy and mentality, I don’t need [Lemina]. I'd prefer to play another player.”
The 31-year-old is now set to get his wish, with a move to Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray set to be completed and confirmed by the clubs imminently – although there is room for further negotiations if required, as the Turkish transfer window doesn’t close until Tuesday 11 February.
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Hide AdGalatasaray are currently three points clear of Fenerbahce at the top of the Super Lig table, and Lemina will arrive in Istabul with a strong chance of winning silverware almost instantly.
Wolves set for lively deadline day
The imminent departure of Lemina won’t be the only business conducted at the Molineux ahead of Monday night’s transfer deadline, with at least three new arrivals anticipated as Vitor Pereira looks to bolster his squad ahead of a potential battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Reports suggest that a swap deal could take place with Leicester City which would see experienced centre-half Craig Dawson leave in exchange for former Wolves captain Conor Coady, who could be set for an emotional return to the club at which the England international made his name.
Elsewhere, Wolves have made a move for centre-back and Nottingham Forest target Nasser Djiga and are also hoping to get a deal for Stade Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi over the line before the transfer window closes at 11pm.
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Hide AdWolves have been in the hunt for both defensive reinforcements and another midfielder to cover for the loss of Lemina. A bid for Austrian defender Kevin Danso was hijacked by Tottenham Hotspur at the eleventh hour, forcing the club to move quickly to secure an alternative before the window slams shut. Wolves currently sit just two points above the relegation zone with 14 Premier League matches left to play.
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