Matheus Nunes has gone on strike to force through a transfer to Manchester City.
The Portuguese midfielder will face disciplinary action, likely in the form of a fine, from Wolves after failing to attend training on Sunday or Monday.
Man City had a £47m transfer bid turned down by the Midlands outfit last week, but have reportedly submitted an improved offer worth £51.5m.
BBC Sport reports that Wolves want ‘in excess of £60m’ for the 25-year-old, who played a key role in the club avoiding relegation from the Premier League last season.
Man City are keen to sign a new midfielder after Kevin De Bruyne was ruled out for up to months with a hamstring injury he suffered in the opening day win over Burnley at Turf Moor.
Pep Guardiola has previously stated that City will not be hold over a barrel on transfer fees however, suggesting that the Premier League champions won’t spend like Chelsea.
“We have to see what happens in the market and if we can do it and to pay what we believe is fair,” he said earlier this month. “We wanted (Harry) Maguire and didn’t buy him because we didn’t want to pay, we wanted (Marc) Cucurella and didn’t pay, we wanted Alexis Sanchez and didn’t pay.
“In the end we will pay what is fair to do it. Otherwise, we have the academy.”
Guardiola isn’t the only admirer of Nunes, as Liverpool were linked with a move for the midfielder in January and earlier this summer.
City have signed three new players in the transfer window: Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and, just last week, Jeremy Doku. Three members of last season’s Treble-winning squad have departed, with Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte moving to Saudi Arabia, while Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona on a free transfer.
Wolves could be open to his sale as the club are working on a tight financial budget this summer. His sale could provide new manager Gary O’Neil with funds to strengthen before the deadline.
