Express & Star

Bakary Sako warned to lower his demands

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West Brom and Aston Villa have told Wolves winger Bakary Sako to lower his wage demands if he wants to make a Premier League move across the West Midlands.

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Both the Baggies and the Villans have insisted they will not meet Sako's initial asking price.

It's believed to be around £50,000 per week – and both will look elsewhere unless the Mali international lowers his sights.

But both clubs remain keen to sign the out-of-contract Molineux wideman and hope to negotiate a solution, as the 27-year-old prepares for a summer auction for his services.

Sako is out of contract at Wolves and looks set to leave after an impressive season with Kenny Jackett's men, who missed out on the Championship play-offs only on goal difference at the weekend.

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Wolves have promised to offer Sako a new deal to stay, but it's unlikely they will be able to compete financially with Premier League sides and other clubs from top European leagues.

Sako confirmed exclusively in yesterday's Express & Star that both Albion and Villa had expressed an interest in signing him this summer.

And he revealed he favours a move to the Premier League over possible deals elsewhere in Europe.

Leicester are also believed to be interested but Albion hope to steal a march on both the Foxes and Villa, having already secured top-flight safety.

However, Sako's salary demands, which include a sizable signing-on fee, have taken Baggies officials by surprise.

The club would not sanction a deal that would make him their highest earner without having played in the top tier.

Meanwhile, Wolves' Under-21 team beat Stoke 4-2 at the Britannia Stadium yesterday with goals from Jim Kellerman, Connor Hunte, Bradley Reid and a Jordan Graham penalty.