Express & Star

Wolves ready for long haul in Harry Maguire pursuit

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Wolves are ready to sit tight in their chase for £2m-rated Harry Maguire in the hope he chooses football over finances.

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Sheffield United have rejected at least two bids from Wolves, the best around a £1.5m offer which has now been matched by Hull City.

Wolves realise Hull's Premier League riches mean they could easily outmuscle them on bids and wages and therefore see little point in increasing their offer to end up in a bidding war where there would only be one winner.

If Maguire is serious about leaving Bramall Lane, Wolves believe the 21-year-old has a far better chance of continuing his development by playing regular football now – and therefore join them in the Championship rather than opt for the Premier League.

But if he chooses to join Hull, he is more likely to be kicking his heels on the fringes of the squad.

Wolves have other irons in the fire – including Bournemouth's Steve Cook – but are ready to dig in for the long haul in their pursuit of their No.1 target.

Richard Stearman's decision to sign a two-year contract is seen as significant and means Wolves have last season's successful centre-back partnership with Danny Batth in-situ if they fail to add Maguire.

Experienced Stearman is seen as a safe pair of hands with several years of Championship experience as well as Premier League know-how, while Sam Ricketts and Ethan Ebanks-Landell can also compete for the central defensive slots.

It's understood that any Wolves interest in diminutive Tottenham winger Alex Pritchard, who spent last season on loan at Swindon, ended with the signing of Rajiv van la Parra.