Derby County look to have beaten Championship rivals Birmingham City to the Mali international.
Derby County are finalising a £4 million deal for Crystal Palace winger Bakary Sako, according to the Sun.
Sako is out of favour at Selhurst Park and has been linked with moves to Derby’s Championship rivals Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers – the Malian’s former club – in recent weeks.
Sako (second right) has played just four times for Crystal Palace this season
The report claims Sako is willing to drop down a division in search of more regular action, with the hope of a “quick return” to the Premier League.
And with Derby on the brink of a top-six place, a move to Pride Park will likely appeal the most to the 28-year-old.
The Rams have a number of wingers on their books, and the Sun reports that Sako’s arrival could enable one or two fringe players to leave – with one of them, Johnny Russell, linked with a move to Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
McClaren is set to make his first signing since returning to Derby in November
Manager Steve McClaren may wish to hang on to the Scot for the time being, however, with Sako set to feature for Mali at this month’s African Cup of Nations tournament.
The Birmingham Mail reported on Tuesday that Gianfranco Zola’s Birmingham City had also bid £4 million for the French-born player, who scored 15 goals for Wolves in his last season at Championship level.
Is Sako making the right call choosing Derby over Birmingham and/or Wolves?
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