Report: Newcastle line up move for £15m striker, Benitez aims to beat rivals to deal

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Published on:

16 Jul 2016, 10:16 am

By Tom Blackburn

Newcastle have joined the chase for West Ham striker Diafra Sakho, according to a report.

Football Insider reported earlier on Saturday that the striker had refused to go on the clubs pre-season tour of Austria, as he looks to force a transfer.

The Daily Mail claims that Newcastle are now one of a number of Premier League sides by fighting for the signature of Sakho.

Sky Sports claim Sakho has now refused to travel to Austria amid interest from Sunderland, West Brom, Sevilla and Hamburg.

The report claims the Black Cats made an £11million bid for Sakho last month, but it was rejected with West Ham reportedly after £15million.

Current Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce brought the forward to the English game two years ago while in charge at West Ham, costing £3.5million to secure his services from FC Metz.

The Senegalese striker impressed during his stay in France, winning the Ligue 2 division in 2013/14 and being named the Player of the Year in that season due to his 20 goals.

Since his move to England he has 44 appearances to his name and has scored a respectable 15 goals in that time.

In other Newcastle transfer news, boss Rafa Benitez says it is increasingly likely that their star pair will make up the Newcastle midfield.

Newcastle United

West Ham United

Diafra Sakho