Wolves could beat West Ham with transfer solution as £9m star set to join Sheffield United
Wolves could steal a march on West Ham if they consider using a player to bring the price of a transfer down.
Wolves are interested in signing RC Lens defender Kevin Danso but aren't alone in his list of admirers.
French newspaper Foot Mercato are reporting that Atalanta, Wolves and West Ham are in all the chase to sign the the centre-back. Danso, an Austrian international, is available at around €25 million but according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta are 'advancing' in their talks to sign him.
Wolves are in the market for a new centre-back after selling Max Kilman to Julen Lopetegui for £40m. Several names have been mentioned, and Danso would represent a good bit of business.
He was part of a defence that kept 12 clean sheets in 30 Ligue One games last term, with only four teams conceding fewer goals. Lens finished seventh in the French top flight last season, and it is Atalanta that might be able to offer him the most lucrative move as they are competing in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Staying with Lens, L'Equipe have reiterated Lens' desire to sign Boubacar Traore. Borussia Monchengladbach and Metz are also admirers, but with Wolves' apparent interest in Danso, that could open the door for a possible transfer work around which might bring the price down.
French newspaper L'Equipe say that a sale is unlikely but a loan deal 'may be possible' this summer. Traore, a defensive midfielder, played 27 times for Wolves across three competitions last term. The 22-year-old mainly had to settle for a place as a substitute, coming off the bench 17 times in the Premier League last season.
Traore is currently on international duty at the Olympic Games in Paris with Mali. He captained his side to a 1-1 draw with Israel in their opening game, and then a 1-0 defeat to Japan. Mali play Paraguay in their final group stage match today (July 30).
One player that looks to be on his way out of Molineux is Ki-Jana Hoever, who looks set for a move to Sheffield United. According to Alan Nixon, the Blades are 'nearing' the signing of Hoever who is expected to join them on loan.
The 22-year-old joined from Liverpool in 2020 for £9m but has fallen out of the first team fold. He spent last season on loan at Stoke City after a six-month loan spell with the Potters in the season prior, and before that he was with Dutch side PSV.
Hoever is under contract with Wolves for another two years, but a positive spell at Bramall Lane could open up the possibility of them signing him on a permanent basis. He was left at home in England after Wolves jetted off to the USA for their pre-season tour.