Wolves have €5m offer for player rejected – But ‘should come back to the charge’ for Lopetegui target

Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen a first bid for Nice midfielder Mario Lemina rejected by the French club.

That’s according to journalist Saber Desfarges, who says Julen Lopetegui and co are likely to return with a second offer for the 29-year-old.

He reports that Wolves ‘want to secure’ the former Southampton man in the January transfer window as Lopetegui reshapes his squad.

They have already made a first offer worth €5m but that was quickly rejected by Nice, who are unlikely to be keen on losing a player who is a regular for them.

That rejection has not put off Wolves, though, with English sources telling Desfarges that Lopetegui and co ‘should come back to the charge’.

What they are willing to pay for Lemina isn’t mentioned nor is Nice’s valuation of the player. He is currently worth around €7m according to the likes of Transfermarkt.

That would mean Wolves’ first bid was underneath what many would consider the minimum, so their next offer will need to be improved upon considerably if they are to get their man.

🟠Wolverhampton souhaite s’attacher les services de Mario Lemina (OGC Nice) cet hiver.
Première offre, de près de 5 millions d’euros, refusée par le Gym.

De source anglaise, les @Wolves de Julien Lopetegui devraient revenir à la charge. #Mercato pic.twitter.com/Pe8SXOwZRg

— Saber Desfarges (@SaberDesfa) December 30, 2022