Wolverhampton Wanderers 'fail with first bid for Diego Costa work permit'

Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly failed with their first bid to secure a work permit for Diego Costa.

On Sunday evening, it emerged that the Premier League outfit were attempting to sign the former Chelsea forward as a replacement for Sasa Kalajdzic.

The Austria international sustained an ACL injury during the first half of his debut against Southampton on Saturday afternoon, ruling him out in the long term.

With the summer transfer window now closed, Wolves will have to target free agents if they want an outside alternative to the recent arrival.

As it stands, the current plan is for Costa to arrive in England on Tuesday evening before undergoing checks with the club's medical team.

© Reuters

However, according to The Athletic, Wolves's initial effort to secure a work permit for the 33-year-old has been rejected.

Due to the points system which is currently used to assess each submission, the development is not necessarily a surprise with Costa having been without a club since January.

Costa has also not made an international appearance for Spain since 2018, and both factors are currently counting against him and Wolves.

On a more positive note, Atletico Mineiro's success during 2021 should be in his favour with the Brazilian outfit winning the domestic treble and reaching the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

© Reuters

Furthermore, Brasileiro Serie A is ranked ahead of many middle-of-the range European leagues in the system which is used to award or reject work permits.

Wolves have appealed the decision, likely citing the reasons mentioned, as well as Costa's previous success and relevance in the Premier League.

Between 2014 and 2017, the frontman scored 52 goals from 89 appearances in England's top flight as he earned two league titles with Chelsea.

Costa will undergo a medical with Wolves on Wednesday should a second effort not be turned down over the next 24 hours.