Medical underway as Wolves finalise £16.6m deal to kick off Vitor Pereira transfer business

Emmanuel Agbadou is reportedly undergoing his medical tests as he finalises the formalities to become a new Wolves player.

The Athletic reports Agbadou is having his medical in France today (January 6) and will sign a four-and-a-half year deal at Molineux with the option of a further 12 months. The transfer, subject to a successful work permit application and international clearance, is set to provide new Wolves manager Vitor Pereira renewed strength in defence.

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) was then agreed the next day, along with the personal terms.

Agbadou, seven times a full Ivory Coast international, will become the first addition under 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).