Wolves have joined Premier League rivals Brentford in chasing Burnley defender Dara O’Shea with Thomas Frank’s side also considering Liverpool’s Sepp van den Berg and Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodzic.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Despite banking nearly £100 million following the sales of Max Kilman and Pedro Neto to West Ham United and Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil is keen to play down expectations of a big-spending end to the transfer window at Molineux.
“I hope the other clubs aren’t treating us as super rich and charging what they want because it’s not what we are,” O’Neil told BBC Sport shortly before Wolves’ 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend.
“The club is still not in a place where it’s able to go and free spend on things. Would I love to say that centre-forward over there looks fantastic, he’s £55m and let’s get him in? Of course. But what we’re doing is something very different and we’re trying our best to maximise it.”
Wolves cash-strapped despite Pedro Neto and Max Kilman sales
O’Neil’s comments go some way to explaining why Wolves are struggling to agree a deal for Eredivisie duo Calvin Stengs and Carlos Forbs.
The Black Country outfit have made enquiries for both players. Their respective price-tags are too much at present, however.
Ajax may look to make a profit on Forbs, having paid £12 million to take the winger away from Manchester City last summer. Stengs, meanwhile, plays as a playmaker for 2023 Eredivisie champions Feyenoord and may be the more affordable of the two.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Feyenoord were prepared to sell Stengs for just £6 million before talks with MLS outfit Charlotte FC collapsed. The Dutch giants may demand a larger fee, however, when the Premier League comes knocking.
Galeno of FC Porto is another option.
HITC can confirm that, turning their attention to centre-halves, Wolves are looking at Dara O’Shea to help offset the departure of captain Kilman.
Brentford submitted a second bid for Burnley’s £7 million stopper a fortnight ago. And while there was some confidence amongst the West London outfit that a deal could be done, Brentford’s inability to complete an agreement has left the door open for Wolves.
Wolves face Brentford battle for Burnley’s Dara O’Shea
Should they miss out on O’Shea, Thomas Frank’s team could turn to either Sepp van den Berg or Anel Ahmedhodzic.
The latter struggled as Sheffield United finished bottom of the Premier League last term but remains highly rated. Van den Berg, meanwhile, has made no secret of his desire to leave Liverpool in pursuit of regular first-team football.
Van den Berg excelled on loan at Mainz in 2023/24. The Bundesliga outfit are keen to bring him back to Germany but, as sporting director Christian Heidel explains, Liverpool are demanding a minimum £20 million.
“We are a bit dependent on Liverpool,” Heidel tells Sky Germany. “I know that he would very much like to return to Mainz. Perhaps the player’s voice will play a role in Liverpool’s decision.
“Of course, it is Liverpool’s legitimate right to put a price tag on the player. But then there has to be a club willing to pay that price, and the player has to want to go there. As of today, that’s not the case, which is why we still have a chance.
“If Liverpool loans him out for another year, then we are the perfect club. Sepp would confirm that as well.”
Interestingly, Brentford tried to sign Sepp van den Berg’s brother, Raj, last summer before he joined Middlesbrough.
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