Wolves are set to sign Reims defender Emmanuel Agbadou for £15m, as Vitor Pereira's side prepare to finally resolve the problematic position

Wolves plan to complete a £15m deal to sign defender Emmanuel Agbadou from Reims next week.

The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international has received rave reviews for his performances in France this season, where he has often captained Ligue 1.

Agbadou joined Reims from Belgian side Eupen in the summer of 2022 and has since racked up 80 appearances for the club, as well as earning 12 caps for his country.

He will now become Vitor Pereira's first signing at Molineux and will help the club achieve their top priority in the January transfer window.

Centre-back has been a problematic position for Wolves this season following the sale of Max Kilman to West Ham for £40m in July.

Yerson Mosquera, who was expected to fill Kilman's void after the Wolves failed to sign a replacement in the summer, suffered a season-ending ACL injury in September.

Wolves plan to complete £15m deal to sign defender Emmanuel Agbadou from Reims

Agbadou will become Vitor Pereira's first signing since taking charge of Wolves last month

Centre-back has been a problematic position for Wolves since they sold Max Kilman to West Ham.

This has contributed to Wolves having the worst defense in the Premier League, conceding 42 goals in 19 games.

Mail Sport understands Pereira could look to add another centre-back this month following the arrival of Agbadou, as the Portuguese manager looks to steer his team away from relegation troubles.

Elsewhere, midfielder Mario Lemina, who has often been forced into the central defender position, is of interest from Saudi club Al-Shabab.

Wolves have won two and drawn one of Pereira's three games in charge since replacing Gary O'Neil last month.

They return to action on Monday when they host high-flying Nottingham Forest, managed by their former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.