Bakary Sako focused on life at Wolves

Kevin Thelwell today insisted Bakary Sako will not be distracted by any transfer speculation and backed him to spearhead Wolves' Championship charge.

The club's head of football development and recruitment expects the Mali international to stay focused.

Sako – who was included in the team picture for the forthcoming season – has been linked with a move from Molineux since Wolves were relegated from the Championship last year but stayed to help them to the League One title.

He scored 13 goals last season and Thelwell confirmed there have been enquiries this summer – but no bids – and believes Sako will ignore any rumours.

"There has been some tentative interest but nothing solid," he said, ahead of Sunday's visit of Norwich.

"We're all anticipating and hoping he will be in our starting XI come the start of the season.

"I think Sako is in a really good place – he seems to have got framed in his mind exactly what he wants to achieve, and what his future looks like.

"And I don't think he will be distracted from that really. So I fully expect him to start the season really well for us unless we have some interest which we will then discuss internally.

"But my perspective is he's a Wolves player and I'm really looking forward to seeing him do well for us."

Sako is in the final 12 months of a three-year deal and Wolves are mulling over his position, although are yet to enter into any formal contract talks.

"We're still discussing that internally whether to do that but everything is measured by what happens on the field," said Thelwell.

"If he does really well, there will be a discussion to be had because he's a really good personality and really good player.

"But there's a lot more that goes into it than just that."

(Video courtesy of Wolves)