Wolves face rival in Matt Mills move

Wolves still remain favourites for Reading defender Matt Mills – but they have been joined by Championship club Leicester in the bidding.

Reading director of football Nicky Hammond returned to his desk from Mauritius today to hear the Foxes have matched Wolves' take-it-or-leave-it £3million-plus offer for the 24-year-old.

Stoke are also interested but only if they fail to land Birmingham defender Scott Dann, after having a joint £16million bid rejected for him and Cameron Jerome.

Reading manager Brian McDermott today revealed for the first time that his club have rejected Wolves' bid for Mills.

McDermott said: "We've had an offer from Wolves which was turned down. It was way off our valuation. I don't know if they will come back for more.

"They may do but I don't want to encourage clubs to bid for our players."

If Wolves do get trumped at this late stage, they will move on to the two or three other irons in the fire.

Richard Dunne, Matthew Upson, Jonny Evans and Sebastien Bassong are other names who have been discussed.

Dunne and Evans have long been admired by Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, but he has never in a position able to sign them before.

McCarthy will also move for a left-back and another midfielder before the start of the season.

Arsenal's attacking schemer Henri Lansbury, who scored four goals in 23 games to help Norwich to the Premier League last season, is on their radar.

Wolves also retain an interest in Blackpool's out-of-contract midfielder David Vaughan, but Albion and Sunderland remain the favourites.