MusaRangers are expecting Wolves to join them in their pursuit of a defensive target this summer.
Russell Martin is keen to strengthen his ranks after taking over as head coach, and centre-back could be an area they are looking at. Leon Balogun has left and Robin Propper’s future is in doubt, leaving the options for senior players on the ground slim, with John Souttar as the mainstay and Clinton Nsialo a raw product after arriving from AC Milan last year. Conor Coady, currently at Leicester City, is a possible option.
He is known to Kevin Thelwell, Rangers’ new sporting director, who worked with him at Wolves before taking him on loan to Everton. Sky Sports now claim Rangers are keen to make a move for the experienced centre-back, but his former club at Molineux are also keen to strike a deal with the Foxes, who are willing to negotiate with interested suitors.
Conor Coady latest at Rangers and Wolves
They claim: “Rangers have made contact with Leicester regarding a deal for Conor Coady. There is interest from other sides, including Coady’s former club Wolves. The Scottish club are keen to do a deal to sign the centre-back. Coady is one of a number of players Leicester are prepared to sell this summer following their relegation to the Championship.”
While Rangers could offer European football and a likely boost in silverware, Wolves would prove an emotional draw for Coady, who spent eight years under contract with them before leaving for Leicester after Everton failed to activate the clause to make his loan permanent.
Coady told the Telegraph about his Wolves exit: “I thought a lot over the summer and it didn’t feel right to go back there. Not just for myself but for the club. I felt they were on a new path. They were on a new way of working and I told them that. They understood that I would always love this place for many years to come and football is not long. Players do it to get that opportunity to get there.” I didn’t want to say no to Leicester with the players they have.
What Wolves felt about Conor Coady
The mutual respect was mutual. Speaking about the Rangers target on his departure, sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “I would like to express our gratitude to Conor for his incredible years of service to the football club – he was a brilliant footballer and, most importantly, a brilliant person, on and off the pitch.
“As captain he helped the club progress, taking us to the Premier League and then to European football and brought an incredible amount of pride every time he represented Wolves. While this move works for all parties, it is with a heavy heart that we let Conor go. He has given so much to Wolves over the years and will forever be remembered in the proud history of the club.”
Musa
