Wolves chase Che Adams ahead of free summer move
Wolves are leading the race for Southampton striker Che Adams as a free agent ahead of rivals threatened by Premier League relegation.
Adams, 27, has three months left on his contract at St Mary’s and the Scotland international can speak to foreign clubs over a pre-contract in the summer but there is interest in taking him without a fee from English teams.
Gary O’Neil has been in the market for a No 9 at Molineux and it is understood that Adams is firmly on his radar for the 2024/25 campaign, which could yet feature European football after Wolves’ excellent season.
Everton and Nottingham Forest have both had Adams in their sights in recent windows but their top-flight status is far from certain after points deductions for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules. Forest are in the relegation zone, with Everton four points ahead of them.
Adams has four years of Premier League experience with Southampton and stayed with them following their relegation last season. He has been in good form this season, scoring nine goals in his last 18 matches for Saints ahead of the international break when he went away with Scotland.
With no new contract agreed at Southampton, he is among the solid free agents available this summer, with Premier League experience having started in the EFL with Sheffield United and Birmingham City.
During his four seasons in the Premier League he scored 25 goals and registered 13 assists which earned him a call-up for Scotland, playing in the last European Championship when he faced England and started in the goalless draw at Wembley.
European giants eye Finneran
Scouts from the biggest clubs in Europe headed to Portugal over the weekend with the Republic of Ireland Under-17s’ clash against Germany of huge interest and Blackburn’s Rory Finneran on the radar of Bundesliga teams.
Fifa’s Article 19 rule allows young players to move within the European Union but Brexit closed off a route to the Premier League, with foreign clubs looking closely at the best Irish players.
Irish midfielder Finneran, 16, played in the FA Cup this season with Rovers and is in the sights of European clubs. Germany won the game 2-0 at Estadio Dr Jose De Matos.
Birmingham poach former City executive
Former Manchester City sporting director Mike Rigg will start work in a key position at ambitious Birmingham City next month.
Rigg has been appointed to join Birmingham’s academy in a wide brief by the club’s American ownership Knighthead.
After previously also working at Fulham and Burnley, Rigg is regarded as a crucial hire as Birmingham build for the future.
