Wolverhampton Wanderers 'keen on signing West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell'

Since the end of 2022-23, the West Midlands outfit have been focused on improving their position with FFP, something which has led to multiple departures from Molineux.

Nathan Collins, Dion Sanderson, Conor Coady, Ruben Neves and Hayao Kawabe have all been sold for fees totalling in the region of £80m, while Joao Moutinho, Adama Traore and Diego Costa have left on free transfers.

Head coach Julen Lopetegui is now in the market for fresh faces, particularly in defence with club legend Matt Doherty in line to strengthen Wolves' options at right-back.

Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi has also been linked with a transfer to the Premier League side, and it now appears that another addition will arrive on the left-hand side of the backline.

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves have instigated discussions with West Ham regarding the possible signing of Cresswell.

The former England international has spent the last nine years at the Hammers, contributing a total of 10 goals and 37 assists from 331 appearances in all competitions.

Cresswell also made as many as 38 appearances during 2022-23, yet West Ham are seemingly open to a sale courtesy of the player being 33 years of age and having less than 12 months on his contract.

Wolves may allegedly pay in the region of £2.5m for Cresswell, with the feeling being that he will bring much-needed experience to his designated position and replace the leadership at the club that has been lost through the sales of Coady and Neves.

As it stands, Hugo Bueno, Toti Gomes, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Jonny are all options for Lopetegui at left-back, but the latter two are expected to move onto pastures new.

Gomes may also be viewed as an option at centre-back with Max Kilman and Craig Dawson currently the only other senior options in the first-team squad.

From West Ham's perspective, Emerson Palmieri is first-choice at left-back with Ben Johnson and Thilo Kehrer also able to deputise when required.

Nevertheless, David Moyes is expected to use some of the money generated from the likely exit of Cresswell and sale of Declan Rice to sign a younger option at left-back.