Wolves chairman Steve Morgan pleads with Bakary Sako not to join arch rivals West Bromwich Albion

Wolves chairman Steve Morgan has pleaded with Bakary Sako not to join arch rivals Albion.

The Baggies and Villa are two of several clubs interested in the winger, who is out of contract this summer and has his heart set on joining a Premier League club.

At the moment, both clubs have told the 27-year-old to lower his wage demands after his agents wanted a salary of £50,000-a-week.

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Albion bid the highest for the Mali international in January after making an offer of around £2.5m when they were set a special 'neighbours' rate.

And boss Tony Pulis remains keen on the powerful winger, who ended the season as Wolves' 15-goal top scorer.

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Wolves are resigned to losing Sako, but in a typically emotional address from Morgan, the chairman said: "Whatever happens, we wish you all the best. Just don't sign for West Brom!"

Addressing the 720 guests at the club's end-of-season awards dinner at Telford International Centre, Morgan also championed head coach Kenny Jackett for another landmark after he led the club to a seventh-placed finish in their first season back in the Championship.

"I would like to congratulate Kenny on being the fastest manager in Wolves' history to achieve 50 victories," said Morgan.

"Since we recruited Kenny as head coach, the team has picked up 181 points from 92 games.

"We'll approach next season knowing the club's in great shape. We've got a stable footing on and off the pitch."

And chief executive Jez Moxey said: "Although we're slightly disappointed at missing out on the play-offs, we feel very positive about the season and the events that unfolded."

Morgan also thanked one-time £6.5m record signing Kevin Doyle, who the club have reached agreement with to join Colorado Rapids now before his contract runs out on June 30.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to Kevin Doyle who's been a great servant to the club over recent years," added the chairman.

The club also formally acknowledged new Hall of Fame inductees Johnny Hancocks and John McAlle.

The late, great winger Hancocks was represented by his daughter Jane James who was welcomed on stage before popular centre-half McAlle was introduced with his long-term friend and fellow Hall of Fame member Derek Parkin.