Kightly 'wanted to stay in Premier League'

Wolves today revealed Stoke-bound Michael Kightly refused to sign a new deal because he wants to remain in the Premier League.

A £3m deal has been agreed between the clubs and the 26-year-old winger was today set to undergo a medical in the Potteries after agreeing personal terms over the last two days.

News of Kightly’s imminent departure has angered fans wanting to see him spearhead a promotion challenge after the club stood by him during his two years of injury torment.

But just as manager Stale Solbakken alluded to recently, the club today admitted they had to act now to reluctantly maximise the player’s value as he was determined to leave to stay in the Premier League, rather than sign a new contract.

Kightly would have been able to leave for nothing on a Bosman free transfer next June.

“It has been Michael’s wish to seek a fresh challenge and try to remain in the Premier League if at all possible, rather than sign a new contract to extend his stay with us here which has been offered to him,” said chief executive Jez Moxey in a club statement.

“Given that reality, and the danger of losing Michael for nothing at the end of his contract, we have reluctantly given him permission to speak to Stoke City.”

The statement continued: “Wolves have given Michael Kightly permission to talk to Stoke about a permanent transfer to the Premier League side.

“A fee has been agreed with Stoke for the winger, who is heading into the final year of his contract and has expressed the desire for a fresh challenge and to stay in the Premier League.

““We have agreed a fee with Stoke City about the transfer of Michael Kightly, which is now subject to Michael agreeing personal terms and completing a medical,” added Jez Moxey.”

Once Kightly’s departure has been sealed, Poland international winger Slawomir Peszko is expected to complete his move to Molineux on a season-long loan from Cologne.

The 27-year-old underwent a medical on Monday after Solbakken acted quickly to broker the move between his past and present clubs to line up a swift replacement for Kightly.

Wolves will receive a £1.5m down payment for Kightly, followed by another £1m in a year’s time and the rest in guaranteed add-ons.