Sako is in desperate need of an escape route out of Crystal Palace – but could Wolves offer him a chance to kick-start his career?
To describe Helder Costa as the shining beacon of hope in an otherwise testing season for Wolves would be an understatement. The summer takeover by Chinese consortium Fosun International, and the accompanying links with well-connected super-agent Jorge Mendes, were supposed to herald in a bright new era at Molinuex but, with the club just four points above the relegation zone, the arrival of the Portuguese attacker may be the only positive yet to emerge from the season.
According to the BBC, Wolves smashed their transfer record for the second time since Fosun’s arrival to sign Costa permanently in January for £13 million. Although the deal is looking increasingly like a short-term investment rather than the platform of a long-term promotion plan.
The Sun report that Arsenal and Chelsea are among the many clubs keen to hand Wolves a tidy profit for the nine-goal winger now valued at £20 million. And while the club’s supporters will no doubt express great anguish that their quick-footed forward is likely to be on his way, the fact is that Costa is far too good for the bottom half of the Championship.
On the upside, however, Wolves could have a perfect replacement lined up. One that, unlike most of the Fosun signings, represents almost guaranteed success.
The Birmingham Mail report that the club were lining up an approach to re-sign Bakary Sako from Crystal Palace a year and a half after the dynamic winger left Molineux and although the speculation came to nothing, the 28-year-old retweeting a Wolves fan demanding his return suggests he’s more than open to a move.
And why shouldn’t he be? Sako enjoyed three superb years as a favourite at the Midlands and the fact that he has been restricted to just 59 minutes of Premier League action all season means a future at Palace looks bleak.
A reliable goalscorer from wide areas and a player capable of getting the fans on their feet, Sako may not have the star quality of Costa but the fans love him equally.
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