Report: West Ham set to battle Sam Allardyce for proven Premier League defender
West Ham are set to make a move for Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho, according to the Sun on Sunday (print edition, page 57, January 3, 2021).
The centre-back has been out of favour under Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park this season, making just three league starts, and that has sparked interest.
Along with the Hammers, Premier League strugglers West Brom have their sights on the France international, with Sam Allardyce keen to pip his former club to a loan deal this month.
Sakho’s contract expires at the end of the season and that means the Eagles may be open to offers, and will likely be seeking less than the £26m fee they spent to sign him from Liverpool in 2017.
David Moyes identified central defence as a position that needed strengthening over the summer, and did so by signing Craig Dawson, but he remains keen on adding to his options.
Premier League experience
One aspect that has been key to West Ham’s success this season is their defensive quality.
David Moyes has effectively organised the likes of Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop, with Aaron Cresswell also showing his value in the centre when part of a back five.
This trio, along with Dawson, know the Premier League very well, and Sakho shares the same advantage.
The 30-year-old made an immediate impact at Crystal Palace, averaging 5.6 clearances per game across his first two seasons, per WhoScored.
Sakho would also provide top-level experience, having played for PSG and Liverpool, as well as boasting 29 caps for France.
A loan move would, therefore, make a lot of sense.
It would allow Sakho an opportunity to prove his fitness and provide David Moyes with another useful option during this busy period, while a permanent move could be sought in the summer if the loan proves successful.
In other West Ham news, Nice have dropped their interest in Issa Diop.