Wolves receive approach for wantaway midfielder Mario Lemina

The 31-year-old was due to be in the Wolves squad at Newcastle on Wednesday night but refused to travel with the squad, as he informed boss Vitor Pereira he would not join them just before their coach left Compton on Tuesday afternoon.

Now, Al Shabab have told Wolves they want to sign Lemina on a free this month, despite him still being under contract until the end of the season. The club also have a one-year option to extend his stay.

Wolves have put a €6million price tag on Lemina (around £5million) and are working to offload him this month.

After the 3-0 loss to the Magpies, Pereira revealed Lemina wants to leave and that he refused to play for the club.

"I can't bring a player that has come to me and said he doesn't feel in the mental condition to help the team." Pereira said.

"With this commitment, I cannot bring him. 

"He wants to leave, this is something the club must solve.

"After the press conference (on Tuesday), he came to my office and said 'coach, I'm sorry, but I can't go because I cannot help the team'."

When asked if Lemina's behaviour is disappointing for a former captain and senior player in the dressing room, Pereira added: "I don't know what happened before me, but with this energy and this mentality, I don't need him. 

"I prefer to play with another player and give a chance to a player that is committed to the team.

"I don't have anything against Lemina or any issues with him.

"He said to me that he wants to leave and he communicated this decision one month ago to the club.

"In this moment, I cannot bring a player without commitment."

Lemina is likely to now be docked two weeks' wages for refusing to play and Wolves are working on a deal to move him on.

The Gabon international lost the captaincy earlier in the season due to disciplinary reasons, after his outburst towards team-mates and coaches following the defeat to West Ham.

He is now set to leave Wolves this month after expressing his desire to leave, if a deal can be struck.

The 31-year-old missed the Bristol City FA Cup clash due to 'illness' and has only played once under Pereira, when Andre was unavailable against Nottingham Forest and Pereira asked the player to help the team.

When Lemina came on in that game he put in an apathetic performance in the 3-0 defeat.

Wolves are now keen to add another defender and a midfielder before the transfer window closes.