Keogh the lure for Sharp

The Wolves boss will hold talks with the striker this week after the club made a £1.5m bid – and McCarthy reckons reuniting their old Iron partnership will appeal to Sharp.

McCarthy has also hailed Crystal Palace defender Darren Ward as the 28-year-old nears a £500,000 Wolves switch.

"Billy Sharp has scored the goals in League One on a regular basis and we've got his playing partner here – everyone knows they've got a great record. So we have been interested to talk to him and I'm delighted we've got that permission.

"The fact that we've got Andy Keogh here could be the deciding factor in terms of him wanting to play. I know the thought of having the opportunity to play with him again appeals to Billy. And he's got a proven track record."

The club can expect a decision from Sharp by the end of the week, by which time they are almost certain to have unveiled Eagles defender Ward as their second summer signing. McCarthy believes they will be getting a player of proven pedigree if he completes his move.

"He's got a very good reputation and is somebody who I know from being involved in the Championship for as long as I have. I've certainly got an interest in Darren. We've been tracking him for a long time," he said.

Wolves are facing competition from Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich in the race to sign Sharp – and are also battling with the Canaries on the Freddy Eastwood front.

"There are not a lot of players out there who fit the category of having the proven track record and being available at the right price, so it is no surprise that other clubs are in for the players we're looking at," McCarthy admitted.

"You look at Freddy (Eastwood) – there are lots of clubs who'd like to take him as well. Everyone wants goalscorers."

So far the club have had no offers for transfer-listed quartet Jamie Clapham, Denes Rosa, Jemal Johnson and Tomasz Frankowski.