Wolves or Everton could finally agree £8.5m transfer as Fosun make January hint

Wolves are set to keep head coach Gary O’Neil at the helm for the foreseeable future with owners Fosun International happy to provide transfer funds this January.

A recent report from The Telegraph suggests Wolves’ hierarchy recognise O’Neil hasn’t been dealt the best cards, so they want to offer him a fairer chance of success. The head coach has hardly been able to make his own mark on the squad in the transfer market despite Wanderers selling Pedro Neto and Max Kilman for a combined £84million.

That could soon change, though, with Fosun’s decision hinting at business in the January window. And with Wolves recording the worst defensive numbers in the Premier League, the first port of call is bound to be strengthening the back line.

Nico Elvedi, who has been consistently linked with Wolves and Everton over the past 18 months, could be a potential option. The 56-time Switzerland international’s £8.5million release clause has now expired but he’s a player still appreciated by the Old Gold.

Elvedi, who joined Gladbach in 2015 from FC Zurich, has racked up an impressive 310 appearances, 17 goals and nine assists over the past nine seasons. Predominantly a centre-back but also capable of filling in at right-back, the 28-year-old is proven in the German top tier and boasts heaps of experience.

Wolves need someone who can slot right in and improve the defensive outlook right away and Elvedi would likely provide that assurance. A lot can of course change in the next few weeks but O’Neil could finally acquire his man in the upcoming window.