Rennes are increasingly confident of beating Wolves to Kevin Danso with the French side closer to Lens’ valuation.
Wolves have been unable to agree a fee with Lens for the centre back, with the Ligue 1 side demanding £26million.
Danso has been keen on a move to the Premier League this month.
Vitor Pereira’s side have already had two bids for Danso, 26, rejected as they desperately attempt to shore up a defence which has shipped 52 goals in the Premier League this season. Only Southampton have conceded more with 53.
Wolves have already made a move to address this by signing defender Emmanuel Agbadou from Reims for £16.6m earlier this month.
They always wanted two centre backs this month but have a limited budget as they also need to bring in a defensive midfielder with Mario Lemina ready to leave.
Rennes are increasingly confident of beating Wolves to the signing of defender Kevin Danso
Wolves have the second worst defence in the Premier League this season, conceding 52 goals
Wolves are talking to Dinamo Kiev about holding midfielder Volodymyr Brazhko, left
Wolves are talking to Dinamo Kiev about holding midfielder Volodymyr Brazhko.
The club also want a winger and striker on loan before Monday’s deadline.
Wolves’ interest in Danso – who was in the academies at MK Dons and Reading – is long standing, predating Pereira’s appointment as Gary O’Neil’s successor last month.
Danso is also an option for Wolves’ Midlands rivals Aston Villa this month.
Aston Villa could move for the defender if they fail to make progress on Chelsea’s Axel Disasi or Juan Foyth at Villarreal.
The Midlands rivals face each other on the pitch on Saturday when 18th-placed Wolves host Aston Villa in the Premier League.