Nigeria international Christantus Uche has turned down a move to Wolves despite the Premier League club agreeing a fee with Getafe, Soccernet.ng reports.
Wolves were confident of sealing a deal worth around €20m for the midfielder, with plans already in place for him to undergo a medical in England.
The Midlands club are desperate to strengthen after opening the season with two defeats and losing star forward Matheus Cunha to Manchester United.
But while Uche has previously spoken of his ambition to play in the Premier League, sources close to the player suggest he is not enthusiastic about joining Wolves.
Nigerian transfer insider Buchi Laba confirmed that despite an agreement between the clubs, the player has opted against completing the transfer.
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The rejection has now opened the door to Italian interest. AC Milan have been in contact with Getafe to discuss the conditions of a potential deal, though no formal bid has yet been made. Serie A newcomers Como have also enquired.
The Como project, led by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, has generated significant intrigue.
Promoted to Serie A last season, the club finished a respectable 10th in their first campaign back in the top flight. Backed by the Hartono brothers, Indonesia’s wealthiest businessmen through the Djarum Group, Como boast some of the deepest pockets in Italian football. Fàbregas himself, along with Thierry Henry, are minority shareholders, adding further prestige to the project.
Whether that will be enough to tempt Uche away from Spain is uncertain. The 22-year-old enjoyed a promising debut season in La Liga, registering four goals and six assists in 33 appearances for Getafe. His performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe.
Crystal Palace are also weighing up a late move as per the Daily Mail, with the Eagles searching for attacking reinforcements following Eberechi Eze’s departure to Arsenal. Palace’s interest could complicate matters further for Wolves, who had believed they were on the verge of a breakthrough.
For now, Uche remains a Getafe player, and there is no immediate sign of him rushing into a decision.