West Ham’s striker search heads over to AC Milan
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Sunderland said no for Jermain Defoe, Brentford are holding out on Scott Hogan, and so West Ham’s quest to sign a striker this month has moved on to AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang.
Reports from Sky Italia claim the Hammers have made the 22-year-old a target, following continued rebuffs for players in England.
It’s believed AC are willing to listen to offers, with a six-month loan option followed by a permanent deal touted.
Premier League duo Everton and Crystal Palace, plus Serie A outfit Genoa are also believed to be interested.
And Manchester United had been linked with a move as recently as three weeks ago.
Niang had been a regular for I Rossonerri this season, but has seemingly fallen out of favour at the San Siro in recent weeks.
The forward – predominantly a left-winger – has played the full 90 minutes just once in AC’s last four Serie A fixtures.
His game-time in the other three during that spell totals up to just 13 minutes.
The Frenchman began his career with his native Caen, before joining Milan in 2012.
After being eased into the side during his first three years in Italy – including impressive loan spells at Montpellier at Genoa – Niang has become a Milan regular in the last two campaigns.
But continued links with a move away suggest all is not well between player and club, and transfermarkt.co.uk give the winger a valuation of just under £13m.
The Hammers have picked up form of late, winning five of their last seven fixtures, but Slaven Bilic is still without wantaway winger Dimitri Payet, while Andy Carroll is a regular injury concern.
With no Emirates FA Cup tie this weekend, the Hammers could use a break, and they’re next in action on February 1.
They host Manchester City – who hammered them 5-0 earlier this month in the FA Cup Third Round – and the bookies odds of 9/2 suggest the Irons recent improvements make have to take a slight hiatus.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
