Nottingham Forest will be one step ahead of Wolves in the battle for Scottish striker Che Adams, The Pitch Prospect has learned.
Adams’ move to Molineux stalls due to a dispute over agent fees, allowing Forest to sneak in.
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Adams is available on a free transfer after his contract with Southampton expires.
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil explained at the start of the season that Wolves did not have much money available this summer and that Adams was seen as an attractive option as he would cost nothing from July 1.
O’Neil said last month: “I don’t think we’re going to have any money available if nobody goes.”
O’Neil added: “I didn’t expect it to be a summer where we spend millions of the club’s own money on players.
“I don’t think it will be like last year when we had to sell loads and make a huge profit, but I wouldn’t expect it to be a shopping spree either.”
But it looks like Forest are looking to snatch Adams, who helped Southampton return to the Premier League, from Wolves, with money expected to be tight at the City Ground this summer.
Forest were deducted four points in March after an independent panel ruled that the club had breached the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Their appeal against the demotion failed, but they still managed to stay in the top flight, finishing 17th in the table, six points ahead of Luton Town in 18th. Burnley and Sheffield United were also relegated.
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Meanwhile, Wolves finished 14th in the Premier League with 46 points, collecting 14 points more than Forest.
This is another major setback for Wolves, whose request to abolish VAR was rejected by other Premier League clubs on Thursday.
Adams leaves the Saints after five years at the club, having joined from Birmingham in 2019.
The 27-year-old, who has won 30 caps for Scotland, has also played for Sheffield United and amateur sides Ilkeston and Oadby Town.