Wolves beat Stuttgart in €20m race for Reims’ Ivorian star

Wolves have reached an agreement in principle with Stade de Reims for the transfer of Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Agbadou, Soccernet.football reports.

According to French outlet L’Equipe, the Premier League side is set to pay €20m for the 27-year-old centre-back, who has been pivotal for Reims since joining in 2022.

The deal was reportedly facilitated by super-agent Jorge Mendes, whose strong influence at Molineux once again proved decisive.

Agbadou was chosen over Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov (20), another defensive target for Wolves.

Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart also expressed interest in signing Agbadou, but Wolves appear to have won the battle for his signature.

Reims were initially hesitant to let Agbadou go, having tied him to a contract extension just three months ago, keeping him at the club until 2028. However, the significant financial offer from Wolves appears to have swayed their decision.

Agbadou’s career has been marked by steady progression.

After starting at US Monastir in 2019, he moved to Belgian side Eupen a year later, where he made his professional debut in October 2020.

His strong performances earned him a transfer to Reims in June 2022, where he quickly established himself as a regular starter.

This summer, Agbadou extended his contract with Reims, showcasing his value to the Ligue 1 side. However, the Premier League’s allure and Wolves’ persistence have brought his chapter in France to a close.

The Ivorian defender is expected to bolster Vitor Pereira’s squad as Wolves aim to climb the Premier League table.