Express & Star

Wolves will offer new deal to Bakary Sako

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Winger Bakary Sako will be offered a new deal by Wolves – even if they remain in the Championship.

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And Benik Afobe won't be allowed to "slip through their fingers", as boss Kenny Jackett came out fighting.

Sako is a target for Villa and possibly Albion again plus several foreign clubs when his contract expires this summer.

Wolves aren't prepared to match Sako's £25,000-a-week wages, but for the first time publicly, Jackett says the 26-year-old will be offered fresh terms to stay even if they don't go up.

"Yes we will," said Jackett when asked. "We'll certainly be talking to him in the summer.

"I want him to stay but there will be no discussions until the end of the season and we know where we are."

Jackett is also happy for the situation to drag on if they have a chance of keeping their 14-goal top scorer.

"If there's a chance of keeping him you'd probably take that chance," he said.

"According to reports, there seems to be quite a few options. But he has to do the best for him, his career and his family."

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Afobe has been linked with Albion and Crystal Palace after topping the country's scoring charts with 31 goals this season and has proved a huge hit since his £2m arrival from Arsenal, netting 12 in 19 for Wolves.

But Jackett says Wolves intend to keep him and add quality around him.

"We haven't signed him permanently to then let him slip through our fingers," said the boss.

"Our plans are to keep him and get the rest of the side as strong as we can.

"It's not our intention to let him go and the chairman and the board would need a lot of persuading because they're here to achieve and sustain Premier League football.

"We've given him a good platform here, a position he's thrived on, and we've built a team around him, but want to keep adding."