Newcastle United and Aston Villa are both keeping tabs on Mali international winger Bakary Sako - and Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jacket expects him to move to a Premier League side during the transfer window on a free transfer. The 27-year-old netted 17 goals and contributed seven assists in 41 appearances for the Championship side last season and has been courted by a host of top-flight clubs. Goal claim that both Newcastle and Villa are monitoring Sako's situation and that they could make an imminent contract offer to the winger - who is available on a free transfer after allowing his Molineux deal to run down. Wolves would love to hold on to a player they signed from Saint-Etienne in 2012 but it appears as if Jacket has accepted he will lose his talented winger to a Premier League side. Speaking to Sky Sports, Jacket said of Sako:
"I would expect Bakary to be playing in the Premier League next year, and for what he's done in recent seasons for Wolves he deserves that. "He will go with our blessing."
Sako has scored six times in 14 Mali caps since making his debut in 2014 and he netted a sensational left-footed volley against the Ivory Coast during the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. Throughout his career to date, Sako has scored 57 goals in 292 league games for Chateauroux, St-Etienne and Wolves. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.