Wolves seal loan move for Girona defender Krejci

Wolves have strengthened their defensive options with the signing of Ladislav Krejci from Girona on an initial loan deal, Sport360NG reports.

The 26-year-old centre-back, who is also capable of playing in midfield, will join permanently in a £26m move running until 2030 once performance-related clauses are triggered.

Krejci, a Czech Republic international, only arrived in Spain last summer from Sparta Prague, where he won two league titles during a five-year spell. He featured 35 times in all competitions for Girona last season, helping them narrowly avoid relegation from La Liga by a single point.

His arrival continues Wolves’ busy summer of recruitment, with full-backs Jackson Tchatchoua and David Moller Wolfe, along with forwards Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias, already added to the squad. The club is still in the market for a striker before Monday’s transfer deadline as they fight to retain Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Newcastle have had bids of £50m and £55m turned down for the 24-year-old, who underlined his importance by scoring twice in the closing stages of Tuesday’s 3-2 Carabao Cup win over West Ham.

Manager Vitor Pereira admitted after that match that “every player has a price” but stressed his desire to keep Larsen at Molineux.

“If it’s my decision, of course he stays,” Pereira said. “He is a very important player for us. He never shies away from playing, even in this situation. I know him well and he will not force a move. But football is football, we must be ready for everything.”

Wolves, beaten in their first two Premier League fixtures, return to action at home to Everton on Saturday.