Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club

• Nickname:Wolves
• Founded:1877
• Manager:Dean Saunders

• Ground:Molineux
• Capacity:28525

Prem duo close on McCarthy

17 Jul 2009 - 09:33:49

Click To Enlarge

Wigan Athletic and Wolves are set to go head-to-head in a battle to sign Hamilton midfielder James McCarthy.

The two clubs are believed to have had bids in the region of £1.5million accepted by the Scottish Premier League side for the 18-year-old rising star.

Liverpool and Celtic are both reported to have been interested in the teenager in the past, while newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley were believed to have tabled an offer earlier this week.

But whatever happens, Hamilton manager Billy Reid is resigned to losing the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

"It's an understatement to say that losing a player like James is a blow," he admitted.

McCarthy has made over 100 first-team appearances for Accies after breaking into the side as a 16-year-old starlet.

He was named Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year last season.