Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to announce their first signing of the Vitor Pereira era.

Reims defender Emmanuel Agbadou is poised to become a Wolves player as early as next week as a full agreement has been reached for his transfer to Molineux.

Agbadou has been one of the Reims’ star players in Ligue 1 over recent years as he played over 2,300 minutes in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. He’s hardly missed a tick in the first half of this campaign, either, helping his side in mid-table contention in the French top flight.

Fabrizio Romano, widely regarded as one of the best football transfer news journalists around, reported on Friday (January 3) that Wolves were progressing in talks to sign Agbadou. A fee of €20 million (£16.6m) is expected to be enough and personal terms have been agreed.

In an update this morning (January 4), Romano posted to X: “Emmanuel Agbadou will become new Wolves player next week, as documents are being prepared. Reims to receive €20m fee, story confirmed.”

Agbadou, seven times a full Ivory Coast international, will become the first addition under new head coach Vitor Pereira. The Portuguese manager’s priority was to bring in a new central defender as it’s a department Wolves are severely lacking in; the problem will be solved shortly.

The 27-year-old is both physical and quick, two qualities Pereira has been keen to add to his back line. The serious injury suffered by Yerson Mosquera earlier in the season really left Wanderers in the lurch in that department - as regularly pointed out by previous boss Gary O’Neil - so signing Agbadou will come as a huge boost.

There’s a chance Wolves could sign a second new centre-half this winter but the priority is to get this Agbadou deal over the line. Kevin Danso, a target for Everton and Southampton, has been linked as a potential option to join Agbadou in Pereira’s new-look defence. The 24-time Austria international could be available for €25 million (£20.7m).

Latest on £10m Wolves departure

In other Wanderers transfer news, Birmingham World understands no contact has been made for goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to depart the club despite speculation of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. With Fraser Forster struggling as the understudy for the injured Guglielmo Vicario, Spurs are reportedly looking for a new shot-stopper.

Johnstone, who only joined Wolves in the summer for £10 million from Crystal Palace, has already fallen back behind Jose Sa in the pecking order at Molineux. Originally brought in to provide competition, the four-time England international was at first a starter under O’Neil but lost his place after several mistakes.

Despite no progress being made just yet, TBR Football reports Wolves are willing to let Johnstone go regardless of the fact they only welcomed him to the club a matter of months ago. As long as Wanderers can make a profit and are able to source a replacement, it’s claimed they would be up for cashing in. The latter point is less urgent, though, with Daniel Bentley a decent alternative already on the books.