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Kenny Jackett: 'Benik Afobe wanted to leave'

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 09 January 2016

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jackett reveals that Benik Afobe's desire to move to the Premier League was the reason the club decided to sell him to Bournemouth.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jackett has revealed that Benik Afobe's desire to move to the Premier League was the reason the club decided to sell.

The 22-year-old striker is in the final throes of completing a £10m move to Bournemouth just 12 months after moving to the Midlands side for £2m.

Wolves turned down multiple bids from Norwich City in the summer window - including a final offer of £10m - although the club has since been put up for sale by owner Steve Morgan.

"There's two things that have greatly influenced us," Jackett told the Express & Star. "One's Benik's desire to take up the opportunity, he had a desire last summer to go into the Premier League, and I don't think personally he's quite looked the same lad he was last year. And then again his desire in this window to take the opportunity to go to the Premier League again. That was the number one reason.

"Obviously in that time the club has been put up for sale and that changes the financial landscape, while Steve will never let the club fall away."

Asked if he would be able to reinvest all of the £10m into strengthening his squad this month, Jackett replied: "It hasn't been discussed, we haven't discussed exactly how much, it depends how much individuals players cost and where that collates with wage demands. Which, for that particular position, and in our position, can be quite significant and change the dynamics of a financial landscape within a club.

"We're obviously looking to move into the market and replace Benik. It's with reluctance we accept the offer. We want to be positive as a club, try to improve our squad wherever we can."

Jackett was speaking after Wanderers went down 1-0 at West Ham United in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.