Wolves are facing stiff competition from several clubs as they attempt to secure RC Lens centre-back Kevin Danso before the transfer window closes.
The Austrian defender has been on Wolves’ radar for some time, with the club making efforts to sign him in the last two transfer windows.
After recently sealing a £15m deal for Emmanuel Agbadou, Wolves have now made Danso a priority target for Vitor Pereira.
The club has already had two bids turned down, including one worth £18.5m, as Lens hold firm on their £25m valuation.
Wolves are not alone in their pursuit of the 26-year-old, with Premier League rivals Aston Villa and French side Rennes also in the mix.
On Wednesday, reports suggested that Rennes were confident of securing a deal for Danso ahead of Wolves. However, a significant development may have altered the situation.
Wolves gain upper hand in Danso chase as Rennes sack Sampaoli
Like Wolves, Rennes have endured a difficult domestic campaign and currently find themselves in the relegation zone in Ligue 1.
Their struggles continued with a 3-2 defeat against Monaco at the weekend. Despite a spirited display, it was not enough to save Jorge Sampaoli from losing his job.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Thursday that Rennes had dismissed the Argentine coach, who has managed several top European clubs, including Sevilla and Marseille.
This decision could have repercussions for Wolves, given Rennes were strongly interested in Danso under Sampaoli’s leadership.
The managerial change means Rennes’ next head coach may have different transfer targets, potentially ending their pursuit of Danso and giving Wolves an advantage in negotiations.
Wolves still face a challenge in landing Danso
Even if Rennes withdraw from the race, there is no guarantee that Wolves will succeed in securing Danso’s signature.
The club’s current battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League presents a significant hurdle when trying to attract top talent.
Any prospective signing will be aware of the risks involved in joining a club that could drop to the Championship. Given Danso’s current situation at Lens, where he has the opportunity to play European football, convincing him to move will not be straightforward.
For a player with ambitions of competing at the highest level, the prospect of relegation is a major deterrent. Danso has been vocal about his desire to play in the Champions League, making Wolves’ task even more difficult.
While the club remains in the hunt, simply meeting Lens’ £25m asking price may not be enough to get the deal over the line.
