Express & Star

West Brom set to move for Diafra Sakho

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West Brom are planning a swoop for Diafra Sakho after the West Ham striker told manager Slaven Bilic he wants to leave.

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The 26-year-old is one of the Baggies' top targets this summer and is available now the Hammers set aside £30million for a new forward.

The London club made an offer over £20m to Lyon for Alexandre Lacazette and have previously registered interest in AC Milan's Carlos Bacca and Marseille's Michy Batshuayi.

Desperate for first-team football, Sakho is resigned to the fact that his future lies elsewhere and has asked Bilic to be sold.

It has been reported that Sunderland tabled an £11m bid for the forward, but the Express & Star understands that Albion have not yet given up on the Senegalese striker and are willing to fight for his signature.

The Baggies see Sakho as a young, dynamic replacement for Victor Anichebe – who was let go at the end of the season – and someone who can challenge Salomon Rondon for the top spot up front, as well as play on the wing if needed.

Sakho had a storming first season in England following his £3.5m move from French side Metz, scoring 12 times in 26 appearances, but last season was plagued with injury, and yielded just seven goals from 24 games.

The Baggies are also interested in his West Ham team-mate Enner Valencia.

Like Sakho, the 26-year-old – who scored in Ecuador's 4-0 Copa America win over Haiti – is open to a move away from the Hammers.

He has scored 10 goals in 61 appearances since joining West Ham for £12m from the Mexican league in 2014 and can also play wide if required.

However, Albion have highlighted Sakho as their preferred choice over Valencia and the Ecuadorian has hinted that he would like to move to Spain.