Wolverhampton Wanderers are eyeing Burnley’s central defender Dara O’Shea as a possible transfer target, positioning themselves against Brentford and Ipswich Town in the race for the 25-year-old.
According to John Percy of The Telegraph, Wolves are prioritizing the central defense position this summer, especially after losing Max Kilman to West Ham United in a £40 million deal.
Initially, reports suggested that Brentford was close to securing O’Shea for a deal that would yield Burnley a £7 million profit. However, Sky Sports later indicated that the negotiations between Brentford and Burnley had stalled, leaving the deal far from finalized.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town has entered the fray, with Alan Nixon reporting that they are preparing a £10 million bid for the Irish international, though this falls £4 million short of Brentford’s rumored offer.
Wolves see O’Shea as a player who could significantly bolster Gary O’Neil’s squad, according to The Telegraph. While they are also exploring options for wide attacking positions, their primary focus remains on strengthening the defense.
Despite being in the running for O’Shea, Wolves face a tough challenge in securing the deal. Although they’ve amassed £94 million from the sales of Kilman and Pedro Neto, they only plan to spend £20 million of that amount.
With £40 million already invested in new players this summer, O’Neil has been allocated a limited budget for further acquisitions as the transfer window nears its end.
To outbid Brentford, who reportedly offered £14 million for O’Shea, Wolves might have to stretch their budget, potentially exhausting most of their remaining funds.
Sky Sports suggests that Burnley is demanding a “huge fee” for the defender, which complicates matters further for Wolves. However, Wolves might benefit from the fact that O’Shea reportedly turned down a move to Ipswich, indicating that their main competition is Brentford.
O’Shea’s previous association with West Bromwich Albion, where he made a name for himself, could pose an additional hurdle for Wolves. His impressive 2022/23 season at West Brom led Burnley to sign him last summer, and his connections with the club and its supporters might make it difficult for him to consider a move to their local rivals, Wolves.
Ultimately, the decision will hinge on what O’Shea perceives as the best career move, and if Wolves can meet Burnley’s demands, he may yet join them—though his ties to West Brom could still influence his decision.
