Wolves to step up transfer dealings this week

The Express & Star understands the club are confident of sealing deals in the next few days.

Portuguese pair Pepe – formerly of Real Madrid – and Gelson Martins have been linked with moves to Molineux.

Barcelona centre-half Yerry Mina, who shone for Colombia at the World Cup this summer, is another who has been tipped for a Wolves switch.

It is thought Wolves are not close to sealing deals for any of those three, though.

Mina’s agent, and uncle, Jair Mina has revealed Everton, who Wolves face on the opening day of the campaign, are the ones in pole position to sign the 23-year-old as they have ‘called us directly’.

“Everton is a club that insists on the player, who has called us directly,” he said.

“There are other teams like Zenit, but we hope Barcelona will take the initiative. He wants to play and do it in Barcelona.

“For Yerry Mina it would be a failure not to play. He just wants to play.”

Wolves remain interested in snapping up Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko despite potentially having to be patient to land his signature.

A £16million bid has been lodged for the Ukrainian, who can play on the left flank or in midfield.

It is believed City will be more open to negotiations once their pre-season tour of America comes to a close on Sunday.

Fulham and Newcastle are also said to be interested in the 21-year-old.

Wolves are understood to still be on the hunt for a striker.

Raul Jimenez has joined on a season-long loan from Benfica and Leo Bonatini has been snapped up on a permanent basis after his successful loan spell last campaign, but it is thought Nuno would like to get one more forward through the door.

Rafa Mir, who signed from Valencia in January and went on to make four appearances last term, may be loaned out.