'Flight boarded' - Wolves close to first Vitor Pereira signing after €20m deal struck

Vitor Pereira’s first signing at Wolves is imminent as Emmanuel Agbadou is on his way to England after passing medical tests in France.

A full agreement was struck for the Reims central defender earlier in the week with Wolves set to pay the Ligue 1 outfit €18 million up front and a further €2 million in add-ons, taking the deal to a total of €20 million (£16.6m).

Transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the deal is done, revealing Agbadou is on a flight with his agent. Having been granted a work permit, the player is ready to sign his contract and conduct media interviews. He could even make his debut as Wolves travel away to Bristol City in the FA Cup third round this Saturday.

Agbadou has been one of the Reims’ star players in Ligue 1 over recent years as he played over 2,300 minutes in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. He’s hardly missed a tick in the first half of this campaign, either, helping his side in mid-table contention in the French top flight.

How will Emmanuel Agbadou slot in at Wolves?

Seven times a full Ivory Coast international, Agbadou will become the first addition of the Pereira era. The Portuguese manager’s priority was to bring in a new central defender as it’s a department Wolves are severely lacking in; the problem will be solved shortly.

The 27-year-old is both physical and quick, two qualities Pereira has been keen to add to his back line. The serious injury suffered by Yerson Mosquera earlier in the season really left Wanderers in the lurch in that department - as regularly pointed out by previous boss Gary O’Neil - so signing Agbadou will come as a huge boost.

It’s hoped Wolves’ marquee January addition can settle in very quickly and become a regular starter for the remainder of the campaign. Pereira’s tendency to play a back three certainly suits Agbadou, who, at 6ft 3in, should help the Old Gold with their problems defending set pieces.

There’s a chance Wolves could sign a second new centre-half this winter but the priority has been to get this Agbadou deal over the line. Kevin Danso, a target for Everton and Southampton, has been linked as a potential option to join Agbadou in Pereira’s new-look defence. The 24-time Austria international could be available for €25 million (£20.7m).