PSV Eindhoven winger Dennis Man was close to joining Wolverhampton Wanderers on deadline day before Wolves signed Bertrand Traoré instead.
TRUmedia, a Romanian outlet, report that the 27-year-old was close to moving to Molineux after Wolves had negotiated a deal with PSV Eindhoven for him.
The two clubs had reached an agreement on a loan deal. however, it stalled over the financial terms for a permanent transfer next summer reports TRUmedia.
They explain that Wolves were looking for a right-sided winger at the end of the transfer window. Dennis Man was one of the concrete options considered by César Peixoto.
TRUmedia’s sources report that discussions between Wolves and PSV ‘went beyond mere interest’. The two clubs had found a formula for the Romanian international to move to Wolves on loan.
“In early September, Wolves negotiated with PSV for Dennis Man,” a source told the outlet.
“The two clubs had reached an agreement on a loan, but the fee required for a permanent transfer at the end of the season was deemed too high by the English side.
“Ultimately, Wolves opted for Bertrand Traoré, a free agent with experience at Chelsea, Ajax, Lyon, and Villarreal.”
| Every Wolves signing 26/27 | Previous Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Ladislav Krejčí | Girona | £20m |
| Rafiki Saïd | Standard Liège | £7.7m |
| João Virgínia | Sporting CP | £1,1m |
| Raúl Jiménez | Fulham | Free |
| Kieran Trippier | Newcastle United | Free |
| John Ruddy | Newcastle United | Free |
| Ghislain Konan | Gil Vicente | Free |
| Bertrand Traoré | Sunderland | Free |
| Jordan James | Rennes | loan |
| Sean Neave | Newcastle United | Loan |
Free agent better financially
Wolves instead turned their attention to Bertrand Traoré a week later. He officially signed on September 7th. He was a free agent after leaving Sunderland.
Wolves considered him the better option financially compared to a loan deal with a ‘substantial’ purchase fee included for Man.
They also value Traoré’s ‘extensive experience’ highly after a career in which he’s played for Chelsea, Vitesse, Ajax, Olympique Lyon, Aston Villa, Istanbul Başakşehir, Villarreal, and Sunderland.
He fits into César Peixoto’s plans too. The Wolves manager had reportedly made it clear he needed a ‘a fast winger capable of one-on-one play and cutting inside from the right flank’.
Dennis Man fit into that profile too. But ultimately the finances proved difficult and Wolves went with the free transfer option instead.
