Wolves face Eastwood battle
Wolves were today braced for a fresh competition in the battle to sign top striker target Freddy Eastwood – as Charlton Athletic prepare a bid for the want-away forward. Wolves were today braced for a fresh competition in the battle to sign top striker target Freddy Eastwood – as Charlton Athletic prepare a bid for the want-away forward. The Addicks will officially join the race to sign the 23-year-old by making an offer this week, pitching them into a three-way battle with Norwich and Wolves for the highly-coveted striker's services. Alan Pardew is prepared to invest a chunk of the £16.5m the club made on Darren Bent to land Eastwood – prompting fears that the Addicks may outstrip the £1.5m that Wolves offered a fortnight ago. After losing out on Scunthorpe hit man Billy Sharp, Mick McCarthy has made Eastwood a priority target – and the striker is keen to make a Molineux switch. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
The Addicks will officially join the race to sign the 23-year-old by making an offer this week, pitching them into a three-way battle with Norwich and Wolves for the highly-coveted striker's services.
Alan Pardew is prepared to invest a chunk of the £16.5m the club made on Darren Bent to land Eastwood – prompting fears that the Addicks may outstrip the £1.5m that Wolves offered a fortnight ago.
After losing out on Scunthorpe hit man Billy Sharp, Mick McCarthy has made Eastwood a priority target – and the striker is keen to make a Molineux switch.
But his enthusiasm will be sorely tested by the Addicks interest.
Pardew's interest in the forward is long-standing, having toyed with the idea of handing Eastwood a chance in the Premiership when he was West Ham manager.
"Freddy is someone the club have had on their list all summer," said a source close to Charlton, who sold top scorer Bent for £15.6m last week.
"They have been tracking his situation for some time and now that Darren has gone they have really stepped up the level of interest. They should be making a bid shortly."
Even though Charlton's bid is a new development in the race for the forward, Molineux insiders were already aware of the interest from the Addicks – and had privately prepared for a three way tussle to sign him.
Wolves still have reasons for optimism as they prepare for a pivotal week in their pre-season planning.
Eastwood's camp are still privately talking up the prospect of a move to Molineux, and the Southend forward is keen to renew acquaintances with former team-mate Michael Kightly.
Wolves kick started the auction for the striker's services with a £1m offer a month ago – but Southend chairman Ron Martin has been keen to encourage a bidding war.
Meanwhile, the club expect to unveil defender Darren Ward as their second signing of the summer early this week. Wolves had hoped to wrap up a deal last week, but Ward should be on board in time to join the first week of pre-season training.