Costa move blocked by work permit

DIEGO COSTA is expected to find out today whether he can join Wolves after initially failing to qualify for a work permit.

The former Chelsea striker has agreed to join the Midlands club until the end of the season as a replacement for summer signing Sasa Kalajdzic, who suffered a serious knee injury on his debut. But Costa does not meet the criteria needed to qualify for a permit under the FA’s rules for overseas players. This is because he has not played enough first-team football in the last year.

He is expected to fly into England today to complete the move, but the deal hinges on Wolves convincing an FA panel that he should be granted clearance. The club will hope that Costa’s past performance will get him the green light to play in England.

Costa has won five league titles in three countries during a career that has seen him make 26 international appearances — two of which were for Brazil before he switched to Spain in 2013. Wolves are able sign Costa outside of the transfer window because he is a free agent after leaving Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in January.

SOUTHAMPTON winger Nathan Redmond will fly to Istanbul this morning for a medical with Besiktas after agreeing a one-year contract.