Wolves face Idrissa Sylla work permit issues

Wolves' pursuit of Idrissa Sylla is likely to hinge on securing a work permit for the Anderlecht striker.

Sylla is among the club's top targets this summer as they look to strengthen their forward line, with a £2.3million bid understood to have been lodged.

But the 25-year-old does not qualify for an automatic work permit under FA rules as, despite being being a regular international for Guinea, they are ranked outside the world's top 50.

Instead, his application will be decided by the FA's Exceptions Panel, who use a points system to decide whether or not a permit should be granted.

Subjective criteria used includes the size of the transfer fee, the salary the player will earn, the ranking of the league they have been playing in and whether the player has appeared in any European competitions.

The new rules were introduced by the FA last summer in order to make it harder for players from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to secure permits, with the intention of creating more opportunities for English players.

Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett is eager to strengthen his squad though, to this point, it has been a quiet summer, with goalkeeper Andy Lonergan the only signing.

Sylla is one of several forward targets while Jackett is also keen to add a winger and left-back.

Manchester United youngster Ashley Fletcher is another player being tracked, with the 20-year-old believed to have turned down a new contract at Old Trafford.

Fletcher starred while on loan with Barnsley in League One last season, scoring nine goals, including the opener in the Tykes' play-off final win over Millwall at Wembley.

Wolves face stiff competition for his signature from the likes of Bristol City and Leeds, however, with the latter thought to be leading the chase.