Newcastle United have had a loan bid for Diafra Sakho rejected by West Ham, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claim that Magpies boss Rafael Benitez has asked the Hammers about taking the striker, 28, to St James’ Park for the remainder of the season.
The Sun report that the Newcastle manager “has been turned down” by West Ham even though there is a possibility that Sakho could leave before the transfer window shuts.
It is said that Everton have also shortlisted Sakho as they aim to reinforce their forward line despite the signing on Friday of Cenk Tosun from Besiktas for £27million.
Good move for Newcastle?
Newcastle’s pursuit of Sakho is a genuine shock. Given the player’s wretched injury record – he missed most of last season with a back injury after his summer 2016 transfer to West Brom collapsed after he failed a medical – it is perplexing why Benitez would put his faith in a striker who spends more time on the sidelines than actually playing. The Senegalese has had better availability this season but his game time amounts to just 450 minutes – which have yielded four goals – and he has done little to suggest he is the answer to the Magpies’ chronic striker shortage. Surely, Newcastle can source a better centre-forward this month?
This Is Futbol rating 2/10
Likely to happen?
It appears that Newcastle will have to bid serious money to land Sakho this month. With more money swirling around the game than ever, West Ham are hardly going to loan out a striker, even an average one, to a relegation rival.
This Is Futbol rating 4/10