Wolves to decide on new striker signing
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett looks set to choose between Chelsea prospect Patrick Bamford and Leicester's Chris Wood as his striker signing, it emerged today.
Head coach Jackett has added 20-year-old Bamford to his radar alongside former Albion target man Wood, who is 22, after refusing to pay £3m for Callum Wilson.
Jackett is a long-term admirer of Wood, who enjoyed his most prolific spell of his career under the Wolves boss on loan at Millwall, scoring 11 goals in 19 games.
But whoever his choice is, Jackett indicated it may be a loan deal with a view to a permanent switch.
"We'd prefer our own players and a loan player we have a chance of signing at the end," said the Wolves boss.
"If it is a loan – and loans have been successful for us at times – we'd hope it's one that turns out to be a permanent deal, if it goes well for both sides."
Bamford, who enjoyed successful loans at Milton Keynes Dons and Derby last season, scored on a rare start for Chelsea in their 5-0 win at Wycombe last week and has jetted off on their Austrian training camp.
Wood, who played second fiddle to David Nugent and Jamie Vardy in Leicester's Championship title success last season, would appear to be further down the pecking order following the arrival of £8m Brighton striker Leonardo Ulloa.
The Foxes are also in talks to sign Cardiff's Fraizer Campbell, and also have Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Jeff Schlupp and Tom Hopper as other striking options.
Jackett indicated he is prepared to allow any young targets as long as possible to impress on the Premier League stage with their parent clubs first before opting to drop into the Championship.
"Those lads have every right to try to get into their Premier League team before they cast their eyes on the Championship," he said.
"Sometimes there's a reluctance to drop out of the Premier League into the Championship too early when there's an opportunity.
"So they have to see where they are at their particular club before they turn their attention further down."
Asked if a loan deal was a possibility with Wood, he said: "I suppose it's a possibility of a number of players of a certain age, depending on their contractual situation."
