Express & Star

Transfer latest: Striker a priority for Wolves

Signing a striker remains Wolves' priority in the final days of the transfer window, the Star understands.

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Leo Bonatini hasn't featured for almost three months (© AMA SPORTS PHOTO AGENCY)

And it's believed Brazilian forward Leo Bonatini will now be allowed to leave whether Wolves bring someone in or not.

The club's hierarchy have looked at the possibility of signing a centre-half or a wing-back, two positions they are short of experienced cover in.

However, with just a few days left until the window shuts at 11pm on Thursday night, it's thought they are comfortable with having the likes of under-23 starlets Max Kilman and Ryan Giles, who have both been named as substitutes in the Premier League recently, as back-ups should they suffer a few injuries.

They would like to bring in a striker, though, as back-up to seven-goal top scorer Raul Jimenez. A move for number one target Tammy Abraham fall through earlier this month with Abraham staying at Villa on loan from Chelsea.

There's no imminent deal in the pipeline, with the club believed to be relaxed about the situation. They'll do a deal for a player in any of the aforementioned positions at the right price, but equally club bosses are satisfied with the strength of the squad.

Instead, the coming week will mostly be about outgoings.

Bonatini hasn't played since early November against Spurs, with the Brazilian falling out of favour with Nuno Espirito Santo having not netted a league goal since December 2017.

He will be allowed to leave, probably on loan, while youngsters Connor Ronan and Donovan Wilson are also being earmarked for exits.

Ronan spent the first half of the season at Walsall, while Wilson was with Jumilla in Spain.

They are now training at Compton Park along with a number of other players looking for loan moves.

Goalkeeper Jack Ruddy, defender Aaron Simpson and midfielder Ben Stevenson have also returned from Jumilla. Dominic Iorfa, out of contract at the end of the season, remains in limbo, as does Joe Mason who had been at Portsmouth.

Eighteen-year-old Spanish winger David Wang, who was immediately sent on loan to Sporting after signing from Jumilla B (Estudiantes), and 17-year-old centre-half Michael Agboola, who moved from Dagenham and Redbridge, are Wolves' only signings so far in January.