'Attractive' - Wolves could land January transfer target for £33m amid intriguing release clause reveal

Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to return to the table with a fresh approach for long-term target Sergi Altimira, according to reports. The Old Gold are interested in enhancing their midfield options in the summer in a bid to aid the club’s trajectory up the Premier League after a difficult fight with relegation this term.

Should Wolves secure survival it is likely that they will be in the market for a defensive midfielder to replace former club captain and last term’s Player of the Season Mario Lemina after the Gabonese international agreed to join Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray in February.

Lemina made 71 league appearances at Molineux and was a regular throughout most of his time in the West Midlands but his relationship with supporters was marred slightly in December when Vitor Pereira told reports of the midfielder’s desire to leave while also stripping him of the captaincy.

“I don’t know what happened before me, but with this energy and mentality, I don’t need him. I'd prefer to play another player. I don't have anything against Lemina or any issues with him. He said to me that he wants to leave and he communicated this decision one month ago to the club." said Pereira shortly before Lemina’s exit.

Wolves made move for Sergi Altimira in January

Birmingham World understands that Wolves were strongly interested in a move for Real Betis midfielder Sergi Altimira throughout the January transfer window. Vitor Pereira’s side alongside Premier League champions Manchester City were thought to be the frontrunners for the 23-year-old’s signature but ultimately their approach was rejected by the La Liga side.

Fabrizio Romano backed up these claims at the time with a post on X which read: “Not only Wolves wanted Sergi Altimira. Understand he’s also been considered as one of the options on Manchester City list as midfielder for present and future. “23 year old midfielder now expected to stay at Real Betis as club don’t want to lose him.”

Wolves could return to the table with a fresh move for Sergi Altimira

Real Betis are battling for European football once again and currently find themselves sixth in the La Liga table. Manuel Pellegrini’s side finished last term in seventh position and as a result are also competing for silverware in this year’s Europa Conference League after reaching the quarter-finals.

Betis didn’t want to jeopardise their European bid midway through the season by selling Sergi Altimira in January but could be more open to a summer deal if Wolves meet their asking price.

Estadio Deportivo, however, states that Betis have taken a clear stance towards the future of the 23-year-old and are doing what they can to tie the midfielder down to a new long-term contract. His existing deal includes an attractive release clause of around €40m and €50m (£33m to £41m) which can be activated by any side and it is understood that this will remain in place regardless of whether Altimira signs an extension.

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