Sources: Wolves set to sign defender likened to Nico Schlotterbeck as £10m player told he can leave Molineux
01/03/2025 03:15 PM
TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Wolverhampton Wanderers are closing in on their first signing of the January transfer window.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have struggled for much of the season but Vitor Pereira’s arrival at Molineux has led to an upturn in form.
A new centre-back is a priority for Wolves, who were made to rue the decision not to replace Max Kilman in wake of Yerson Mosquera’s season-ending injury.
Now, Wolves are closing in on an international defender who has been compared to the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Wolves set to sign Emmanuel Agbadou as Mario Lemina told he can leave
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Wolves have agreed a deal with French club Reims to sign Emmanuel Agbadou.
Wolves are looking to bring in two central defenders this month, and they have been working hard on targets.
TBR Football can now confirm that Wolves have brokered a deal worth £15million for Agbadou – who has 11 caps for Ivory Coast.
The deal for the 27-year-old central defender is now due to be completed over the weekend.
In addition, TBR Football understands that Mario Lemina is attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League – and Wolves have told the £10million man he can leave.
Emmanuel Agbadou factfile
Agbadou is a 27-year-old defender who plies his trade for Ligue 1 outfit Reims and represents Ivory Coast at international level.
He rose through the ranks at Ivorian club FC San Pedro and took in a loan at Tunisia’s US Monastir before joining Belgian outfit KAS Eupen in 2020.
Agbadou then sealed a move to Reims in 2022 for a reported £2million, making 80 appearances and registering three goals and four assists.
According to FBRef, Borussia Dortmund’s Schlotterbeck and Manchester United’s Martinez are most similar to him in playing style.
Agbadou is in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons per game (0.66) and in the 97th percentile for shots per game (1.06).
He also averages 2.02 tackles, 1.52 interceptions, 1.72 blocks and 4.21 clearances per game.
