Journalist Lee Clayton has been left stunned by talk of Conor Coady leaving Wolves this summer, with exit rumours swirling ahead of the season opener on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Coady linked with Everton move

The 29-year-old has been a stalwart for Wanderers over the years, making a total of 317 appearances and maturing into the current captain at the club.

In recent days, however, Coady has been strongly linked with a move to Everton, with some reports even stating that he wants to sign for the Toffees.

It is an update that has rocked Wolves, just as the new Premier League season gets underway against Leeds this afternoon.

The Latest: Journalist shocked by news

Writing on Twitter, Clayton, head of talkSPORT, spoke of his dismay at the news, saying it makes no sense for Coady to move on:

"This is madness from Wolves. He is the heartbeat of that team, a warrior defender. Heads it and clears it and throws his body into places like a Terry or a Carragher or a Keown. Proper good lad too. Likely Everton signing, but he could do a job for plenty. Rant over."

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The Verdict: Massive blow for Wanderers

To lose Coady is an undoubted blow for Wolves, considering what a consistent performer he has been over such a long period, not to mention being a huge presence in the dressing room.

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It rocks Bruno Lage's plans at just the wrong times and it does feel as though the former Liverpool man is going to end up at Everton before the summer ends the way the rumours are going.

Should that happen, it is essential that Max Kilman continues his growth as a player, increasing his all-round influence at Molineux, and that new signing Nathan Collins hits the ground running.