Diafra Sakho is reported to have a desire to re-unite with former manager Sam Allardyce at Sunderland despite interest from three Premier League clubs.
West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Watford have all been linked with the Senegalese forward, but the Sunderland Echo understands that he would prefer a move to Wearside.
Still no summer transfers
Sakho could still yet be Sunderland’s first signing of the summer window after the £3 million transfer of Inter Milan’s Davide Santon fell through this week. The player had apparently snubbed the relegation clause in his offered contract.
Sunderland looked to sign Santon with the club only having one first-team right back in Billy Jones, as Adam Matthews looks to be leaving the club. However, Sunderland have other areas in which they will want to strengthen, with the striker position being of major significance.
Number one on the transfer target shortlist is Sakho and the move looks likely after the player was reported to have handed in a transfer request last week. However, his current club West Ham will only look to sell the 26-year-old once they have signed a striker themselves.
Carlos Bacca is the number one frontman on the West Ham radar, but the AC Milan striker has also been linked to Atletico Madrid and is valued at £25 million.
A move to Sunderland isn’t fully guaranteed with the Black Cats having a bid rejected last month, but Sakho is keen on linking back up with Allardyce again. The manager brought him to the Premier League from French club Metz for £3.5 million in his time in charge of the Hammers.
Sunderland may have to be prepared to break their club record transfer fee with Sakho’s price tag of £15 million. The Black Cats had a bid rejected last month of around £11 million but the price tag set by West Ham shouldn’t be a problem for Sunderland with this season’s television money secured.