Wolves can't get Kike out of Teesside

Wolves failed to land a striker on transfer deadline day – after Middlesbrough striker Kike turned them down at the last minute.

Late reports suggested the forward had secured a move to La Liga side Eibar, however these were unconfirmed.

Molineux bosses hoped Boro's move for Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes, which was completed last night, would pave the way for them to sign the 26-year-old on a loan deal with a view to a permanent £2m transfer in the summer.

But despite the financial details of the deal being agreed with both player and club, the Spaniard rejected the move yesterday evening.

It is thought Kike was unwilling to risk his reputation being damaged if his loan spell didn't prove to be a success.

The late change of heart left Wolves in the lurch and unable to resurrect deals for any of their other long-standing targets.

They will now hope to sign a striker in the emergency loan window, which reopens next week.

Reports in Italy suggested Wolves had also agreed a fee with Serie A side Bologna for 28-year-old striker Robert Acquafresca, but the player is believed to have turned down a move to the Championship.

After signing Joe Mason from Cardiff for £3m, Kenny Jackett was hopeful of adding another forward.

The head coach, speaking before yesterday's deadline, said he wouldn't be concerned if a deal wasn't struck.

"I don't think it's a big problem," he said. "We keep looking, we did state we were hopeful of bringing two forwards in if we could.

"We'll have to then look in the emergency loan window, perhaps even wait until the summer for the right player, if that's the case and we don't get anybody in."

A move for Albion left-back Sebastien Pocognoli failed to materialise, with Wolves happy to wait until the loan window opens before looking at bringing another defender in.

Jackett has Matt Doherty, Sylvain Deslandes and Kortney Hause, who should be available again in the next two weeks, as left back options.