Godwin ObajeWolves Step Up Bid to Re-Sign Conor Coady Amid Interest from Rangers
Wolverhampton Wanderers have stepped up their pursuit of former club captain Conor Coady in what would be a surprise but sentimental return to Molineux — just two years after his departure.
The veteran centre-back, now 32, has been made available for transfer by Leicester City, sparking immediate interest from Wolves and Scottish Premiership side Rangers. According to Sky Sports, Wolves are “showing intent” in the race to bring back the £75,000-a-week defender, who spent eight years at the club and played a pivotal role in their recent Premier League era.
Coady, a firm fan favourite in the Midlands, racked up 151 Premier League appearances for Wolves — behind only Ruben Neves (177) and Joao Moutinho (175) in the club’s top-flight appearance charts. Should he return and stay fit, he could well eclipse Neves’ record and become Wolves’ most experienced Premier League player in history.
Wolves have already started their summer rebuild with the capture of Spanish forward Fer Lopez, but the focus is also firmly on defensive reinforcements following the confirmed exit of Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City and uncertainty over squad depth heading into the 2025/26 campaign.
New head coach Vítor Pereira is believed to be keen on re-establishing a strong core of leadership in the dressing room — something Coady, with his extensive experience and deep ties to the club, would provide instantly.
Coady’s time at Molineux was synonymous with the club’s rise under Nuno Espírito Santo, guiding the side from Championship mid-table mediocrity to European competition. His leadership was regarded as instrumental both on and off the pitch, and his departure to Everton in 2023 — followed by a stint at Leicester — was met with reluctance from sections of the fanbase.
Should Wolves complete the deal, it would signal a strategic move to inject experience and stability into a squad navigating life after key departures. With Matheus Cunha also likely to leave this summer, and tough early fixtures ahead — including a daunting opening day clash against treble-winners Manchester City — the club’s hierarchy are clearly prioritising characters who understand the pressures of top-flight football.
Leicester, meanwhile, are open to letting Coady leave on a cut-price deal, despite him being under contract. The Foxes are reshaping their own squad following a mid-table finish and have informed interested parties that the England international is free to speak to other clubs.
The move may not be straightforward, however, with Rangers also circling. The Ibrox club, under new boss Russell Martin, are targeting experience to bolster their squad ahead of European qualifiers and view Coady as an ideal leader to guide their backline.
Still, Wolves remain the frontrunners due to the defender’s historic bond with the club and their pressing need for senior reinforcements.
Coady’s return would be seen as more than just a romantic reunion — it could prove to be a shrewd decision as Wolves aim to avoid another relegation battle and stabilise in the Premier League under Pereira’s new regime.
Godwin Obaje
