Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab have asked to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Mario Lemina on a free transfer.
Lemina wants to leave Molineux but Al-Shabab’s initial approach will be rejected with Wolves seeking a fee of about £5m for the 31-year-old.
Lemina, who lost the captaincy to Nelson Semedo last month, missed the FA Cup win over Bristol City but boss Victor Pereira said on Tuesday as he previewed the Premier League game against Newcastle that he was fit and available.
However, speaking after the 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park Pereira said the Gabon player had now told him he would like to leave.
“I can’t bring a player who tells me he is not in the mental condition to help the team. He wants to leave,” said Pereira, who joined Wolves from Al-Shabab in December.
“I don’t know what happened before me, but with this energy and this mentality, I don’t need him. I prefer to play with another player.
“I don’t have anything against Lemina or any issues with him.
“He said to me that he wants to leave and he communicated this decision one month ago to the club.”
Lemina was club captain at the start of the season, but was stripped of the role by former manager Gary O’Neil after he had an altercation with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen following the final whistle in their 2-1 defeat at London Stadium.
O’Neil said at the time that Lemina “would remain part of the squad’s leadership group”.
Lemina has only played 31 minutes since Pereira was appointed as O’Neil’s successor on 19 December.
Wolves are in the relegation zone in 18th place on goal difference after the defeat at Newcastle.
