Wolves circle Andy Carroll as Diego Costa’s work permit rejected

Callum Boyle

Costa may not be returning to the Premier League after all

Diego Costa’s proposed move to Wolverhampton Wanderers is in doubt after the striker’s work permit was rejected.

Costa had been identified as a replacement for new signing Saša Kalajdžić, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut against Southampton last weekend.

Raul Jimenez is the only other recognised striker at the club, but he was forced to miss Wolves’ first win of the season after suffering an injury in the warm-up.

The Telegraph are now reporting that Wolves boss Bruno Lage is now considering a short-term deal for Andy Carroll. The former Newcastle and Liverpool forward is a free agent after finishing up a deal with West Brom, last season.

Wolves planning to appeal the decision

The Athletic have reported that the 33-year-old failed the work permit application as he didn’t have enough points.

Players are now required to score a minimum of 15 points across six different areas in order to move to England due to FA’s post-Brexit point-based system, which came into effect as of January, 2021.

Any players who score between 10 and 14 points are able to lodge an appeal, with half of the criteria related to appearances, with international, domestic and continental minutes played all assessed.

The quality of the league the aforementioned player has played in is also taken into account and classified according to six different bands, with band one being the highest – Continental football and where their previous club finished in the league are also measured amongst the points system.

Wolves are planning to appeal the decision in order to allow the former Chelsea striker to return to the Premier League, with Costa due to fly into the West Midlands for a medical on Wednesday morning.

Costa has been without a club since leaving Atletico Mineiro in January after spending just five months at the club. The Spaniard is well accustomed to the Premier League having spent three years at Chelsea between 2014 and 2017, scoring 52 times in 89 games.