Erlend talks set to continue

Wolves appeared to have reached deadlock in their pursuit of Brann left-back Erlend Hanstveit – but the deal is not dead.

A Norwegian delegation flew to England for talks on Monday night but left without agreement after rejecting Wolves' £500,000 offer.

Brann sports director Roald Bruun-Hanssen said: "I met people from Wolves on Monday. We have not reached an agreement, but we are still talking.

"If and when there is a deal, we will say it, but at the moment it's hard to say what will happen. I don't want to say anything more at this stage."

Hanstveit's father Per said: "We won't say anything before the clubs reach an agreement."

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey was unavailable for comment.

The player himself, who returns from holiday in New York on Saturday, is keen to follow former team-mate Seyi Olofinjana and try his luck at Molineux after nine years with his only club.

The deadlock comes as manager Mick McCarthy revealed he is keen to sign players as early as possible in the January window to bed them in ready for the team's promotion push.

"There's always those balls in the air where you're trying to get someone and they're waiting on someone else," said McCarthy.

"But we're trying to avoid making a last desperate attempt to try to get people in at the last minute. I'd be hopeful the deals we do will get done before then."

The offer for Hanstveit is one of three serious bids Wolves have lodged for different targets.

McCarthy was again linked with the vacant Irish manager's job today, with reports claiming the 48-year-old is set to be approached amid alleged "unrest" between him and owner Steve Morgan.

But Wolves have already dismissed the speculation.