Bakari sets transfer deadline

Dagui Bakari has revealed he will return to Lens before the end of the week if his loan move to Real Valladolid is not ratified.

The Primera outfit reached agreement with Lens and the FFF (French Football Federation) to take Bakari on loan for the rest of the campaign last week, but the transfer has since been vetoed by Fifa.

Although outside the transfer window, Spanish league rules stipulate that clubs may bring in a replacement for any player injured for a period of five months or more.

Valladolid took advantage of the ruling after top scorer Ariza Makukula was sidelined for rest of the season.

However, Fifa are refusing to sanction the move for Bakari - although the Spanish club are appealing the decision - and the former Lille hit-man now looks set to return to current employers Lens.

"I don't want to stagnate too long here (Valladolid) without having any guarantee that the case will be solved," declared Bakari.

"I will wait for one week, but I don't think it will be settled soon.

"I am waiting until Wednesday and if there is nothing new, I will be at the training session at La Gaillette (Lens training centre) on Thursday."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Atletico Madrid are pondering a summer raid for the injured Makukula.

The Portuguese Under-21 international, who is of Congolese descent, is on a season-long loan at Valladolid from Nantes and was enjoying an impressive campaign before sustaining his serious knee ligament injury in January.

Makukula had managed eight goals in 18 appearances for Valladolid, and reports claim Atletico will monitor his recovery before pondering a swoop in the close season.