Hands off Danny Batth, Wolves warn rivals

A report claimed Villa boss Paul Lambert was planning a £5m move for the 23-year-old centre-back.

But Wolves see Batth as a vital part of the new era at the club and will not welcome any interest in the Brierley Hill-born vice-captain, who is a huge fans' favourite. Batth, who signed a three-and-a-half-year contract in January, is seen as an huge player in Kenny Jackett's side, but also a symbol of the new Wolves where academy scholars can see a genuine path to the first team.

"I saw the story but we've had no approach from Villa," said head of football operations Kevin Thelwell.

"We want him to help us get into the Premier League, rather than him helping someone else in there.

"We've had no one contacting us about Danny Batth, and neither would we welcome anyone contacting us about him because he epitomises everything we want about the football club going forwards.

"I think he can achieve anything he wants to here, and he's destined to be a big part of our history going forwards.

"Getting him to sign a new contract was a big thing for us and the way in which he handled himself showed it was never about him wanting to be anywhere else.

"He wants to achieve things with Wolves and we believe we can achieve things here.

"The dream is him playing for us in the Premier League, as opposed to playing for anyone else."

Wolves are not pursuing a deal for Rotherham forward Kieran Agard, who has been linked with them in recent days.

"He's a good player but not one we're pushing on at the moment, said Thelwell.

Thelwell was also happy to dismiss speculation linking Wolves with former Birmingham striker Nikola Zigic, Chesterfield centre-back Liam Cooper and Chelsea midfielder George Saville, who was on loan at Brentford last season.

"Saville's a good player and we really like him but there's no solid interest at the moment," he said.

Wolves have opted not to sign young Nottingham Forest centre-back Lawrence Gorman after a trial in their Under-21s.