Oumar Niasse has admitted in an interview with The Beautiful Game Podcast that he is open to the opportunity of reuniting with former manager Sam Allardyce at West Brom if the 66-year-old is interested in landing his signature.
The forward has been a free-agent since leaving Everton in the summer, and is yet to find a new club, as clubs head towards the January transfer window.
Niasses scored nine goals in 42 appearances for the Toffees, and also had loan spells with the likes of Hull City and Cardiff City whilst at Goodison Park, where he also worked briefly with Allardyce in his time with the club.
West Brom are currently sat 19th in the Premier League after 15 matches this term, and will be hoping that they can fire themselves up the table at the earliest of opportunities, with newly-appointed boss Sam Allardyce in charge at The Hawthorns.
Niasse admitted that he and Allardyce have a good relationship, and expressed his eagerness to return to football in England in the near future.
“I always leave the phone with my agent! Big Sam is a guy I worked with, and we had a good relationship at the time when he was at Everton. When he was appointed as West Brom’s manager, it’s kind of something open because right now, the only thing [that] is on my mind is if I get to a team in England, the opportunity to be on the pitch and to do exactly what I’ve been missing for all this time.
“We have a good relationship and he knows how I am, he knows me personally, so that can be a very good thing. To be honest, I’m open when it comes to the teams in England, even [in the] Championship.
“I’m thinking about it, because the challenge could be there, the challenge could be interesting, and I’m ready to take on the challenge because that’s really what I want.”
Niasse went on to reveal that he has offers from clubs in the MLS, but would rather remain in English football for the time being, before stating that he’s ready to jump in his car to join West Brom if the opportunity is to arise.
“Now the MLS is knocking on the door and I’m thinking ‘it’s too far’. If I go there and I’m not happy, it’s not worth it. It’s more about being happy, and I know being in England is something that’s going to make me happy.
“Of course, West Brom can be a very good opportunity for me, but my agent will try to do what he needs to do. If Big Sam is interested – I’m ready to jump in my car and just drive to Birmingham!”
TIF’s thoughts on Niasse’s recent transfer admission involving a potential reunion with Sam Allardyce at West Brom ahead of the new year…
This is a move that could work for both parties in the January transfer window. Niasse, who is valued at £2.25m-rated (as per Transfermarkt), is going to be eager to get his career back on track at the earliest of opportunities, and a move to West Brom could prove to be the ideal opportunity to do just that.
The Baggies haven’t looked very threatening going forward this season in the top-flight, with the club only scoring 11 goals in the Premier League season so far. Therefore, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see the club look at signing additional options in attack in the New Year.
Allardyce won’t want to be taking a chance on a striker that he doesn’t know much about, so they could do far worse than signing Niasse, especially if he can stay injury-free.