Galatasaray say they have opened negotiations with Wolves over the transfer of Gabon midfielder Mario Lemina.

Lemina joined Wolves from Nice in January 2023 but has not played for the club since 6 January after a fallout with manager Vitor Pereira.

Pereira said last month that the former Southampton man would not play until the transfer window had shut, with Lemina having initially refused to make himself available for selection before making a U-turn.

On Wednesday Galatasaray confirmed they have entered negotiations, external with both Lemina and Wolves, with the Turkish winter transfer window open until 11 February.

Lemina, 31, spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Galatasaray from Southampton, making 28 appearances.

The Gabon international lost the Wolves captaincy to Nelson Semedo in December after clashing with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen following the 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium, before Pereira replaced Gary O’Neil as head coach.

Wolves sit 17th in the Premier League and are just two points above the relegation zone after winning just five games this season.

Galatasaray are top of the Turkish Super Lig and are through to the knockout play-off phase of the Europa League.

Lemina started his senior career with Lorient and also played for French club Marseille before joining Juventus in 2015.

Southampton paid a club-record £18.1m for Lemina in 2017 and he featured 52 times for Saints.

After a loan stint at Fulham in 2020-21 the midfielder made a permanent move from Southampton to join Nice.