West Ham’s Diafra Sakho is reportedly close to a £8m move to Ligue 1 side, Stade Rennais before the end of the January window. The French outfit has agreed to pay to £4.5m as an initial fee and then the remaining amount later as add-ons.
David Moyes has been trying to offload a few strikers to make way for a midfielder and now that Joao Mario has arrived Sakho’s wage bill is something the Hammers can do without. The former Manchester United manager is well aware of the team’s imbalance with multiple strikers warming the benches and a lack of creative options from the middle of the park.
He just lost Manuel Lanzini to a long-term injury last week and this has further compounded his injury problems. Key forward, Marko Arnautovic also picked up a knock and Andy Carroll is out for almost three months with a hairline fracture.
So Moyes is currently left with just Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez as the only option to appear in the number nine role with Andre Ayew better suited to a wing role. The Hammers have climbed themselves back up to the 11th spot of the Premier League after facing a relegation scare earlier in the season. They have not lost a game in their last 5 league fixtures and Moyes would like to continue doing so. Now that Sakho is set to leave the London Stadium, The Hammers will need a supporting striker to help them secure a spot away from the relegation zone.
Benik Afobe
Bournemouth are looking to offload the striker and is currently in talks with Championship side, Wolves. The striker stands 6 feet tall and has the technical ability to hold up the ball and link up with the rest of his teammates. He also possesses the speed and agility to beat defenders on the run but sometimes lacks the cutting edge in front of goal. Maybe his time under Eddie Howe is done and will be more suited to Moyes’ style of play.
Karl Toko Ekambi
Ekambi has been firing on all cylinders this season with 10 goals netted along with 4 assists in 23 appearances already. His impressive run of form, however, has not reflected on his current club, Angers SCO who are struggling in the relegation zone of the league table.
He is a target of Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham can make a swoop with a better offer.
Zé Luís
He has been a key figure for Spartak Moscow this season with 4 goals and 6 assists in 14 appearances. His efforts spearheaded the side to win the Russian Premier League and the Russian Super Cup last season. He is highly rated and is also a target of the Seagulls.
