Wolves set to swoop for Austrian defender Georg Margreitter
Wolves were today closing in on the signing of £2m-rated Austria Vienna centre-back Georg Margreitter as the club starts to spend the £24m war chest from the expected sales of Shrewsbury-born Steven Fletcher and Matt Jarvis.
Boss Stale Solbakken is keen to rebuild with the exit of Fletcher and Jarvis, which should be completed today, netting up to £24m.
He also wants a winger, with FC Copenhagen's £3m-rated Christian Bolanos and Manchester United's Robbie Brady, who would cost £1.2m, among those on the radar. Others are believed to include a wide-man from northern Africa.
Commanding 23-year-old stopper Margreitter, who has a year left on his contract, flew to England yesterday with his agent after being given permission by Vienna to start talks.
Wolves, who confirmed they are trying to conclude a deal for the defender, watched the 11-capped Austria Under-21 international impress during their 1-0 win at SV Ried on Sunday and moved quickly to arrange the move.
Meanwhile, Wolves confirmed they rejected a dozen offers for wantaway duo Fletcher and Jarvis before finally sanctioning a combined exit which is set to be concluded today.
Jarvis' £10m-plus transfer to West Ham was due to be completed first as the results of his medical emerged and he talked personal terms over a long-term contract.
Fletcher's negotiations on his £14m move to Sunderland haven't gone quite so smoothly, as discussions continued over personal terms after the medical yesterday, although it should be sealed today.
The Scot will become the second most expensive player to be transferred from the Championship to the Premier League after Darren Bent left Charlton for Tottenham for £16.5m in 2007.
Chief executive Jez Moxey said: "I think it shows how genuine we were about keeping them, but, as ever, money talks.
"From a footballing standpoint, we couldn't let it go, and ultimately, we had to sell them."
