Doyle on verge of joining Wolves

Anthony Smith • Published 23 Jun 2009 12:00 7 Comments

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KEVIN Doyle is edging closer to a £6.5 million move to Wolves.

The Chronicle broke the news of Doyle"s shock transfer in our exclusive last week.

And now we can reveal that a fee is thought to have been agreed between the clubs, leaving Doyle free to discuss personal terms.

Doyle, 25, met representatives from Wolves over the weekend and it is believed the deal could be completed within the next few days.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy sees Doyle as an ideal partner for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who has just signed a new four year deal with the Premier League new boys.

And he is ready to shatter their transfer fee to land the Republic of Ireland star, eclipsing the £3.5 million they paid out for Ade Akinbiyi in 1999.

McCarthy has already been given the go-ahead by Molineux owner Steve Morgan to meet the Royals" asking price.

Royals boss Brendan Rodgers is gutted to lose Doyle. But he has been told he needs to sell to raise funds to strengthen the squad.

And Royals will find it impossible to turn down that sort of cash as they enter the final year of Premier League parachute payments.

Doyle cost just £78,000 from Cork City and has scored 56 goals in 163 appearances for the Royals.

Rodgers admitted: 'You always want to work with the best players but you have to understand the reality.'

And Royals chairman Sir John Madejski added: 'Brendan knows we are losing the parachute payment after this season and we have to cut our coat according to our cloth.'

Aston Villa have also been watching Doyle while reports suggest Everton are ready to pay £10 million to get him plus winger Stephen Hunt, who has admitted he wants a 'fresh start'.

Defender Andre Bikey is also attracting interest from Marseille.

Watford"s Tommy Smith, Rangers" Charlie Adam and Chelsea"s Jack Cork are all possible targets for Rodgers this summer.

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