West Bromwich Albion are ready to line up a move for Everton forward Oumar Niasse. According to a recent report in the English press, the Baggies are among three Premier League clubs set to battle it out for the Senegalese striker’s signature. It is believed that Niasse is set to depart the Toffees with West Brom, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion all interested in secure his services. The Blues of Merseyside are ready to sell their prized asset and are asking for a fee in the region of £13m which all of his potential suitors are willing to cough up. Hence, the proverbial ball is on Niasse’s court now as he has the power to choose who he wants to play for in the near future.
The 27-year-old has caught the eye with his impressive performances for the Merseysiders this season, despite starting in only five games across all competitions for his club. He also has nine appearances from the bench to his name and has scored six goals so far, averaging a goal in every 101.6 minutes.
Sam Allardyce’ Everton has recently secured the services of Cenk Tosun from Besiktas in a £27m deal and it is expected that Big Sam will bring in some new faces before the closure of the January transfer window.
The Toffees acquired Niasse from Lokomotiv Moscow for a fee in the region of £13.5m in February 2016 but he initially struggled to find enough game time under Roberto Martínez before he fell out of favour with Ronald Koeman. The Senegalese forward spent the entire second half of the previous campaign on loan at Hull City, where he managed to find the back of the net 5 times in all competitions. Niasse still has two and a half years remaining on his current Everton contract.
West Bromwich Albion are in deep trouble in the Premier League and are in danger of getting relegated at the end of the season. They are currently in 19th place having failed to taste victory under new manager Alan Pardew after his arrival in November last year. One of the main reasons for their recent misfortunes in the Premier League has been their lack of attacking threat up top. Solomon Rondon has tried his best to cut the mustard at the Hawthorns but despite working hard for his team, he has failed to find any kind of consistency in front of goal.
The Baggies are in dire need of an out and out goalscorer and Niasse could be the perfect solution for their attacking troubles if they manage to acquire his services from under the noses of their Premier League rivals. The Senegalese has scored 9 goals and made 3 assists in 16 appearances for Everton this season and could turn out to be the man who fires the Baggies out of relegation trouble if Pardew can convince the striker to join their cause at the West Midlands.
