Newcastle United could turn their attention from one London-based striker to another - with West Ham United's Diafra Sakho now reportedly on their radar. Although Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Austin remains the Magpies' primary transfer target, the Daily Mail claim Newcastle are also monitoring Sakho's situation at Upton Park. A £4 million acquisition from French side Metz in the summer of 2014, Newcastle had scouted Sakho for several seasons but were unwilling to meet that pricetag 12 months ago. The 25-year-old three-cap Senegal forward netted 12 goals in just 26 appearances for the Hammers in 2014-15 but Slaven Bilic is looking to recruit his own forwards after taking charge in east London this summer. Newcastle remain interested in West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino as well as Austin, but they could be put off if those two English talents become the subject of a Premier League bidding war. Ironically, West Ham appear to lead the race for Austin's signature now, and it could be the QPR forward's arrival that allows Sakho to move to the North East. New Magpies head coach Steve McClaren is hoping to sign Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost for around £9 million, and Sakho could soon partner him on Tyneside. Between 2009 and 2014, Sakho netted 44 goals in 114 league games for Metz before moving to West Ham. CLICK HERE to view Newcastle United's 12 Most-Important Premier League Fixtures In 2015-16.For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
