WOLVERHAMPTON Wanderers are believed to have stepped up their pursuit of Burnley teenager Kyle Lafferty.
As I understand it, the Clarets' Championship rivals have made an all-encompassing offer of over £1million for the Northern Ireland international, despite Burnley manager Steve Cotterill stating that he did not wish to sell the striker.
Wolves had already made two phone calls enquiring about Lafferty - one from manager Mick McCarthy to Cotterill on the evening of the Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan on May 23, the other days later, when Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey contacted Burnley chairman Barry Kilby.
An offer was not made at the time, but on both occasions they were told the highly rated 19-year-old was not for sale.
That appeared to be the end of the issue, with Wolves instead focusing their attentions on wantaway Southend frontman Freddy Eastwood and Scunthorpe hotshot Billy Sharp.
But it does not seem that the Molineux outfit are prepared to give up on Lafferty that easily after compiling a hit list that is believed to comprise of mostly "young and hungry" players.
However, even by tabling an offer of £1million plus, it is unlikely that Wolves will change Cotterill's mind in wanting to keep hold of the rangy front man.
Earlier this week, the Burnley boss told Telegraph Sport: "I listened to (Mick McCarthy's) question and my answer back was a quick one. I don't want to sell him.
"He said okay, no problem, I will be back in touch'.
"Since then Jez Moxey has rung our chairman and he said what I had said, that we don't want to sell him."
Lafferty, who scored four goals in 20 league appearances last season, was a transfer target for Celtic in the January transfer window but the Scottish Premier League champions had a £500,000 bid swiftly rejected by Burnley and did not return with a better offer.
Wolves have yet to make their first summer signing, and anxiety could be growing within the camp until that inaugural deal is done.
Chief executive Moxey has stated that negotiating potential deals is an ongoing process.
"I can confirm that we have made a number of bids for players and we are in ongoing discussions with clubs at the moment," he said.
"There is a lot going on behind the scenes, but, if we are to achieve our stated aim of getting the right players at the right price, then it will take time.
"However we won't be drawn on transfer speculation at this time."
Wolves are working to add to the squad before pre-season gets underway at the beginning of next month.
But despite new owner Steve Morgan's £30million cash injection, they do not intend to pay over the odds for their targets.
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