Wolves strike agreement for €30m target but Aston Villa plot late hijack

Wolves have reportedly reached a full agreement on personal terms with RC Lens defender Kevin Danso and club-to-club negotiations remain ongoing.

The Old Gold are shifting nearer to beating a whole host of top European clubs to the centre-back’s signature in what would be a significant coup for Vitor Pereira. Danso, 24 times a full Austria international, is currently enjoying a fourth successive season as a regular starter in Ligue 1 and has proven himself as one of the division’s best in his position.

Fellow Premier League clubs Newcastle United, West Ham United and Everton have all been linked with Danso in the past 12 months. Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Atalanta, Napoli, Stuttgart, Galatasararay and Fenerbahce have all shown interest, too.

Wolves could be about to beat the bunch with Give Me Sport journalist Ben Jacobs reporting ‘personal terms are in place’ with Danso. The deal is said to be in the balance, though, with Lens holding out for close to €30 million (£25.1 million) to let their star defender depart.

Birmingham World understands Wolves have already seen two bids rejected for Danso, one totalling £16 million and the other worth around £18.5 million. A fair whack more needs to be coughed up if Wanderers are to acquire their top target and it’s important they do considering just how much they’ve struggled defensively this season.

The £16.6 million signing of Emmanuel Agbadou from Stade Reims has shown initial signs of being a success with strong performances against Bristol City and Arsenal. Wolves need another player of a similar ilk, however, with the likes of Santiago Bueno, Toti Gomes and Craig Dawson not quite cutting the mustard.

Aston Villa could hijack Kevin Danso transfer from Wolves

There could yet be a twist in this saga as Villa are keeping tabs on Danso before the February 3 deadline in case they cannot pull off a deal for Chelsea’s Axel Disasi. Personal terms have already been sorted for Disasi to join but complicated talks remain underway before the loan deal can be finalised.

Villa have been keeping tabs on Danso for some time and could make a late swoop to disappoint Wolves. The Disasi situation is unclear and talks to sign Loic Bade from Sevilla have completely broken down, so it’s certainly possible Unai Emery gives the green light for Danso instead.

Predominantly a centre-back but also capable of filling in at right-back or defensive midfield if required, Danso stands at 6ft 2in. The 26-year-old isn’t the most agile but he’s rapid once he gets up to speed and he’s very strong in the air. Danso also loves a crunching tackle.