Wolves will have to splash out £1.75m for Peterborough striker Aaron McLean – but the signs are that they will and the player wants to come to Molineux.

Watford and Sheffield United have joined the chase for the 25-year-old – but McLean is believed to favour a move to Wolves.

Wolves are believed to have prepared a third bid of £1.5m to tempt Posh.

It’s understood Peterborough’s top brass have held talks with McLean and said he can go at the right price, edging the deal towards conclusion.

McLean has made his choice having been impressed by Molineux watching his old Grays team-mate Michael Kightly during several visits.

Kyle Lafferty’s completed move to Rangers from Burnley for £3.25m plus add-ons has left Wolves open to pursue their main striker target.

All that remains now is for Wolves to meet the asking price from Posh, which may yet see them throw in a player as a makeweight. While chief executive Jez Moxey is striving to get the very best value or money, the fee is not thought to be a problem for Wolves, with owner-chairman Steve Morgan having provided funds for boss Mick McCarthy to make another promotion tilt.

The arrival of McLean will leave Wolves with eight strikers, but the club remain hopeful of offloading three of them – transfer-listed trio Freddy Eastwood, Stephen Elliott and Jay Bothroyd.