West Bromwich Albion are interested in bringing Wolves player of the year Bakary Sako across the Black Country to The Hawthorns.
The £3million winger is certain to leave Molineux this summer after the club’s relegation to League One and arch-rivals West Brom are said to be hot on the heels for his signature.
The 25-year-old is also attracting attention from Fulham, who like Albion have targeted a left-sided mifielder during the coming transfer window.
Paris-born Sako, who has two years left on his contract, is also attracting interest from his native France where Lyon, who have qualified for the Champions League, are keen.
But the explosive midfielder is keen to stay in England and try his luck in the Premier League having scored 10 goals in a faltering Wolves team.
He is almost certain to leave Molineux in the summer as playing third-tier football and having wages of £25,000 a week create problems for both the club and the player.
The prospect of Sako crossing the Black Country divide is fraught with potential difficulties, however.
Wolves are bound to seek substantially more than the £3m they paid St Etienne for him last summer – especially if their neighbours are in the bidding. And Albion are unlikely to break the bank for a player with no top-flight experience in England.
The player is well aware of the rivalry between the clubs, meaning he would need to hit the ground running at The Hawthorns.