Wolves still hoping to sign Matt Mills

Wolves remain confident of finally landing Reading defender Matt Mills - despite Leicester having a £4million bid accepted for the player.

The Foxes are understood to have met Reading's asking price, after Royals boss Brian McDermott revealed yesterday he had turned down a £3m-plus offer from Wolves.

Wolves have steadfastly refused to budge on their stance and aren't likely to be persuaded to ramp up the bidding at this late stage.

They are aware Mills wants Premier League football now and the 24-year-old – who will turn down a £20,000-a-week offer from Reading – prefers Wolves.

Also, Wolves don't see why they should pay over the odds for a player who only has a year left on his contract and is unproven in the Premier League. Mills had 60 minutes of top flight experience while at Manchester City.

Given these factors, Wolves are comfortable that if they stick to their guns, they will get their man. It means Reading can either cash in now, or keep an unhappy player and lose him for free in 12 months' time.

But Wolves' other summer defensive target, Roger Johnson, now appears to be out of reach for good.

Birmingham are understood to have dropped their £10million price tag to £9million, but that is still way above what Wolves are prepared to pay.

Despite his quality, Wolves' policy of buying young and hungry players means that, at 28, Johnson presents a financial risk in having far less resale value.

Stoke remain in the background awaiting developments on Mills, but they are only expected to bid if they fail to land Johnson's defensive partner Scott Dann.

The Potters have had a reported joint-bid of £16million for Dann and Cameron Jerome turned down.