West Ham have joined a host of Premier League clubs in the race for Fiorentina’s Khouma Babacar, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claim that the Hammers face competition from Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Swansea and the Championship’s Cardiff City for the striker.
The Sun report that David Moyes would like to take the 24-year-old on loan, but Fiorentina would rather sell Babacar for £15million.
Babacar has made 17 appearances this season, scoring five goals and registering two assists.
The forward has also won three caps for Senegal, but is yet to score his first goal at international level.
According to the same report, Babacar is keen on a Premier League move as it was his agent that notified Moyes of his availability in January.
The Sun also report that West Ham could lose Javier Hernandez, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho in January, with all three being linked with exits.
Good move for West Ham?
Yes, if the Hammers are set to sell several strikers in this window.
West Ham have a lot of attacking options up front, so as it stands do not need Babacar.
However, if Hernandez, Carroll and Sakho were all to leave in January, Moyes would need another forward.
The 24-year-old seems like a good option, given the fact that he is known for his ability to shoot from distance, as well as being dangerous when his team launch a counter-attack.
As West Ham struggle against teams higher in the table, Babacar’s attributes may see him snatch a goal, even when the Hammers fail to dominate possession.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
With Moyes wanting a loan and Fiorentina wanting to sell for £15million, unless someone changes their minds; this isn’t going to happen.
The forward has a lot of Premier League interest in him, so Fiorentina will get their £15million from someone else, if Moyes isn’t keen.
There’s also the fact that Hernandez, Carroll and Sakho aren’t all destined to leave, despite interest, which would leave Moyes to sign players in other positions.
This Is Futbol rating: 4/10