Wolves set to sign Reims defender Emmanuel Agbadou for £15m – as Vitor Pereira’s side prepare to finally sort out problem position

Wolves are planning to finalise a £15million deal to sign defender Emmanuel Agbadou from Reims by next week. 

The Ivory Coast international, 27, has gained rave reviews for his performances in France this season, where he has often captained the Ligue 1 side.

Agbadou joined Reims from Belgian outfit Eupen in the summer of 2022 and has since racked up 80 appearances for the club, while he has also won 12 caps for his country.

He is now set to become the first signing for Vitor Pereira at Molineux and will help the club to achieve their overriding priority in the January transfer window.

Centre back has been a problem position for Wolves this season following the £40m sale of Max Kilman to West Ham in July.

Yerson Mosquera, who was expected to fill Kilman’s void after Wolves failed to sign a replacement in the summer, then suffered a season-ending ACL injury in September.

Agbadou will become Vitor Pereira’s first signing since taking charge of Wolves last month

Centre back has been a problem position for Wolves since they sold Max Kilman to West Ham

This has contributed to Wolves having the joint-worst defence in the Premier League, conceding 42 goals in 19 games.

Mail Sport understands that Pereira may look to add another centre back this month after Agbadou’s arrival as the Portuguese boss looks to guide his side away from relegation trouble. 

Elsewhere, midfielder Mario Lemina – who has often been forced to fill in at centre back – has interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab.

Wolves have won two and drawn one of Pereira’s three games in charge since he replaced Gary O’Neil last month.

They return to action on Monday when they entertain high-flying Nottingham Forest, who are managed by their former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.