Balde played just four games for Celtic last season

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy says he is still keen on Celtic centre-half Bobo Balde but cannot meet his wage demands.

The 32-year-old Guinea international is reportedly picking up around �30,000 a week at Celtic but has not been a first team regular under Gordon Strachan.

"We don't pay that kind of money, we're not in that pay league - so it's a non-starter in that sense," McCarthy said.

"But he has the option of staying and taking the money or moving on; taking less but playing on a longer contract."

Balde has a year of his contract to run but has played only 14 times for the Parkhead club in the past two seasons.

And the Scottish champions are willing to release him for free if he can find a club to move to.

"I enquired about his availability before the end of last season," McCarthy added.

"I had watched Celtic play against Rangers and I just asked a question then about what his financial position was.

"Balde has always been one I've liked because he is a big, powerful centre-half."

Bolton were interested in Balde in January but the player picked up an injury at the African Nations Cup.

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This time last year, Balde turned down an approach from Sunderland, who were prepared to pay �1.5m for him.

Balde moved to Celtic Park from Toulouse seven years ago and flourished under former manager Martin O'Neill.