Wolves manager Bruno Lage says he will "understand what is best" for Conor Coady amid speculation Everton are interested in the defender.
He said he was unsure whether the 29-year-old, who comes from Merseyside, would leave the club this summer amid suggestions he is seeking first team football in the hope of challenging for a spot in England's World Cup squad. Coady captained Wolves last season but Lage has experimented with his tactics over the summer.
The Wolves boss has looked at moving to a back four and, in doing so, has left Coady out of the starting XI for several pre-season games. At a press conference on Friday, Lage said Coady was "still my captain" but accepted he had decisions to make about his defence.
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Coady was under consideration at Everton at the beginning of the summer as Frank Lampard sought to strengthen his defence. That search led to the arrival of James Tarkowski, who signed on a free after the expiration of his contract with relegated Burnley. Reports the Blues remain interested in the centre back have emerged this week and Lampard was asked whether there was any substance in the claims on Thursday, responding: "It's only right and respectful not to answer on individuals."
Ahead of Wolves' first game of the season against Leeds United, Lage was also asked about Coady's future. He said: "He's one of the best people I know in football. Today I can say he is a guy I will keep in my friendship, he is still my captain. I have massive respect for him. I need to take my decisions, but I cannot forget Coady or any player... It's not just about the World Cup, every player wants to play. Coady and all the players are focused and try to improve in a line of four. I have all my team motivated."
Asked whether Coady could leave, Lage added: "I really don't know. But I will respect him and understand what is best for him. You don't know how we will play tomorrow, a five or a four."
As well as appearing to move to a back four this summer, Wolves have added Nathan Collins to a centre back line-up that also includes Max Kilman and Willy Bolly. It is believed the club would consider allowing Coady, who scored his side's winner in a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park earlier this year, to leave on loan as he fights for a place at the World Cup.
Everton's transfer activity has intensified in recent days and talks are in advanced stages with midfielders Amadou Onana, from Lille, and Paris St Germain's Idrissa Gueye. Gueye has been left out of PSG's squad for the club's game with Clermont this weekend. Strengthening midfield was a key issue for Lampard but the injury suffered by Dominic Calvert-Lewin this week, and which has ruled him out of the opening games of the season, has underscored the club's need for a forward.
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