WOLVES are leading the pack to chase down the Fox!And they might end up scuppering Colchester United's best-laid plans.The U's agreed a fee for Walsall's highly-rated defender, Daniel Fox, last Saturday morning, just hours before Geraint Williams' men secured a welcome 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

Carl Marston

WOLVES are leading the pack to chase down the Fox!

And they might end up scuppering Colchester United's best-laid plans.

The U's agreed a fee for Walsall's highly-rated defender, Daniel Fox, last Saturday morning, just hours before Geraint Williams' men secured a welcome 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

The Saddlers 21-year-old, who operates down the left flank either as a full-back or wide-midfielder, travelled to Layer Road to hold talks with the U's at the start of this week.

His personal terms were discussed, but the deal has still not been rubber-stamped. An undisclosed fee, believed to equal the club record £350,000 splashed out for Chris Coyne from Luton last week, would eventually rise to £500,000 subject to other clauses.

While the U's are still very hopeful of landing their man, Championship rivals Wolves have appeared on the rails with a late bid to sign Fox.

And that could also decide the outcome of whether unsettled defender George Elokobi will leave Layer Road. Elokobi, also a left-back, has been attracting the interest of Wolves, so if Fox does eventually choose to sign for Colchester, then that might free up Elokobi for a move to Molinuex.

The Cameroon-born defender returned to the U's side for the 2-1 win at Charlton on New Year's Day, after a four-game absence, although he has not even been in the 16-man squad for the last couple of fixtures against Peterborough and Bristol City.

Walsall manager, Richard Money, confirmed other clubs were interested in signing ex-Everton trainee Fox, in addition to Colchester. League One promotion-hopefuls Leeds United had originally been the favourites to sign Fox, before the U's stepped in, but now Wolves are in the frame.

“It's difficult to know personally what's in Daniel's mind at the moment,” admitted Saddlers boss Money.

“I will sit down to have a good chat with him, but I can confirm that other clubs are interested.

“I left Danny out of the side last weekend (against Swindon) because we had agreed a bid for Colchester on the morning of the game. This has been dragged on into this week. Hopefully, it will all be settled soon.”

It is believed that Fox has requested more time to consider his options. It has been reported in some quarters that Walsall have already accepted a bid for Wolves, although the Bescot Stadium club have denied such claims.

U's Chief Executive Marie Partner said: “These sort of things do take time when a player has to make a decision about his future,” said Ms Partner.

“When a potential transfer is being discussed, there are a lot of people in the loop, so we will be patient in our efforts.”

U's boss Geraint Williams revealed: “Daniel (Fox) came down and we showed him around the new stadium. We spoke to his representatives and they have gone away to think about the offer.”