According to reports West Bromwich Albion have agreed a fee with West Ham United’s Diafra Sakho. Pulis has moved in the transfer window with uncertainty surrounding the future of Saido Berahino, who has perennially been agitating for a move out of the club. While Sakho had reportedly handed in a transfer request at the beginning of the summer, any activity regarding the striker had reportedly been put on hold. The reason cited by the club was the need to identify a suitable replacement before selling their front man.
West Brom boss, Tony Pulis, has been previously criticized by the supporters for his unadventurous approach and having signed Matt Phillips will be looking at an experienced striker. West Brom have released attacking players like Victor Anichebe, Stephane Sessegnon and also goalkeeper Andres Lindegaard. Pulis had managed Stoke City not too long ago and during his time they were adept at playing the no-nonsense brand of football. Where the focus was on defence and goals were of secondary importance and thus lots of matches resulted in drab draws with very few goals or attacking displays to write home about.
He seems to have continued on similar lines in the West Midlands club and supporters have finally gotten fidgety over the directionless approach in their play. The Baggies have been embroiled in mid-table obscurity with survival seemingly the only objective during a season. And with the rest of the Premier League improving in leaps and bounds a move had to be made. And Sakho has been targeted irrespective of the outcome of Berahino’s annual transfer saga.
Diafra Sakho began his career in the lower divisions of French football, with Metz and on loan at Boulogne, before joining West Ham in August 2014. He has scored 19 goals and provided 3 assists in 50 games for the Hammers. But he suffered a dip in form along with a spate of injuries which cut short his influence on proceedings. He eventually lost his place to Andy Carroll towards the end of the season and has been since disillusioned and West Ham’s public pursuit of a striker hasn’t helped matters.
He will provide the pace and industry, both of which Pulis will welcome with open arms. His finishing ability stands out as well as his defensive contribution. He will probably be the main man in the team if the move materialises and the striker would not be out of place in such a scenario.
The deal is said to cost around £15m and at 26 years of age, his best playing days are ahead of him, which will further coax the Baggies into investing in the player.
