Wolves ‘expected’ to strike contract deal with Ligue 1 man if fee can be agreed

OGC Nice have reportedly rejected Wolves’ first bid for Mario Lemina. The Midlands outfit are interested in luring the midfielder back to the Premier League this winter.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, the Ligue 1 side have rebuffed the first advance but a sale is ‘not out of the question’. The player is said to be ‘keen’ on the move to Molinuex this month and personal terms are ‘not expected’ to be an issue if a fee is agreed.

Wolves have already signed attacker Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid and have the chance to bring in some more players as they look to bolster their ranks ahead of the second-half of the season. They have been linked with a fair few names already as Julen Lopetegui looks to put his own stamp on his newly inherited squad.

Lemina, 29, is no stranger to playing in England and was signed by Southampton from Juventus back in 2017. The former FC Lorient and Marseille man went on to play 52 times for the Saints and also had loan spells away at Galatasaray and Fulham.

He left in July 2021 and has since made 55 appearances for Nice, 19 of which have come this term. His future on the French Riviera is in doubt now though as Wolves look to snap him up. However, they will have to meet his price tag and are yet to do so.