Wolves transfer state of play: £26m double swoop, Premier League rival ‘talks’, Matheus Cunha exit

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ January transfer business is well underway as Vitor Pereira seeks to make improvements to his squad in a bid to avoid relegation.

Currently 17th in the Premier League, the Old Gold are hovering precariously above the drop zone - just four goal difference ahead of Ipswich Town after the Tractor Boys’ 6-0 drubbing from Manchester City. It’s been far from an ideal few months - costing Gary O’Neil his job - while new manager Vitor Pereira has had a mixed start.

Dipping into the transfer market would certainly lift the mood a bit and it’s rather necessary to give Wolves a better chance of staying in the top flight.

So, what business has been done so far and what can the Molineux faithful expect before the transfer deadline on February 3? Here’s a full run-through...

Pereira completes vital Wolves business

The most important issue Wanderers needed to address this month was adding a new physical central defender and they’ve duly delivered on that front. Emmanuel Agbadou’s arrival from Stade Reims for £16.6 million has been a huge boost as the Ivory Coast international is strong, brave, dominant in the air and reasonably fast.

The serious injury suffered by Yerson Mosquera earlier in the season really left Wanderers in the lurch in the centre-back department - as regularly pointed out by previous boss O’Neil - so signing Agbadou has been vital. Just having that one extra physical figure makes such a difference, especially when Agbadou has already shown he’d effectively head or volley a bowling ball if it meant keeping it out of Wolves’ net.

The only other completed transfer business involves loan recalls - with Tawanda Chirewa now back from Derby County after limited minutes and Nathan Fraser’s spell at Belgium club Zulte Waregem cut short.

Wolves want another defender after Agbadou

Bolstering the back line further is imperative given the Old Gold have the worst defensive record in the Premier League. The 51 goals conceded is worse than Southampton’s 50, and the Saints - with six points from 22 games - are on track to break Derby County’s record of the fewest points in a Premier League season.

Wanderers scoring 32 in the 22 outings so far has saved them further embarrassment but that can’t always be relied on, as shown over recent weeks with successive defeats to Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Birmingham World understands Pereira wants to add another centre-half to his ranks and has outlined several targets. Wolves nearly signed one but failed at the final stage to secure Manu Silva - a defensive midfielder capable of playing at the back - from Portuguese outfit Vitoria Guimarares. Wanderers had agreed a €12 million (£10.14m) fee inclusive of add-ons but Benfica hijacked the deal. Manu preferred the idea of - and has since completed - a move to the Liga Portugal title challengers.

Aston Villa’s Diego Carlos has emerged as a potential option as a last-ditch £10 million offer has reportedly been made to sign the Brazilian. The experienced defender has already agreed to join Turkish Super Lig outfit Fenerbahce but Birmingham World understands he’s yet to travel to Istanbul despite reports suggesting he had. If Wolves have indeed made a bid, talks will be ongoing.

RC Lens star Kevin Danso was also an option, Birmingham World understands, but Wolves have had to move on from the Austria International after unsuccessful talks with the player’s agent. Wanderers have other unnamed targets shortlisted.

Former captain exiled and could depart

Wolves are open to the sale of ex-skipper Mario Lemina following his unprofessional behaviour both on and off the field. Lemina refused to play against Newcastle last week after requesting a transfer earlier in the month, before apologising to Pereira and his teammates.

Our sister publication, Express & Star, understands Saudi Pro League outfit Al Shabab have asked to take Lemina on a free but Wolves are demanding around £5 million for his services. Despite the midfielder’s apology, Pereira has insisted he will not play Lemina before the end of the January transfer window.

The 31-year-old has played 77 times for Wolves in all competitions, scoring six goals and making five assists. Lemina has now made more appearances for Wanderers than any other team in his career and he had built a superb relationship with the fanbase, but those memories have now been tarnished.

Matheus Cunha exit still possible

Wolves’ talisman appeared to be close to signing a new long-term contract with the club a week or so ago but there’s been no news of the Brazilian actually signing on the dotted line. The events since the news broke haven’t exactly gone Wanderers’ way, either, as Cunha was criticised heavily for displaying poor body language in the 3-1 victory over Chelsea.

Cunha was also involved in a social media spat with an Express & Star journalist who had reported the striker didn’t properly applaud the fans post-match and instead walked straight down the tunnel. Cunha, furious with the wording, responded: “Liar. I went to applaud them, congratulated the referees and the opposing players. Then I went to the tunnel. Don't ever come and ask me to give you an interview again.”

Birmingham World understands Wolves maintain that Cunha is not for sale this month but Arsenal have expressed an interest to the player’s representatives.