West Ham United transfer news: Amad Diallo moved lined up in ‘major setback’ to Sunderland over Manchester United ace
West Ham are lining up a move for Manchester United attacker Amad Diallo as part of a summer overhaul, according to the Northern Echo.
The 20-year-old spent a fruitful season on loan at Sunderland in the Championship and the Black Cats would love to have him back, but after reviving his career following a difficult year with Rangers he is now attracting Premier League interest.
The Ivorian scored 14 goals across the Championship season and play-offs as the Black Cats fell in the semi-finals to now-promoted Luton Town, and the Hammers reportedly liked what they saw enough to gear up for a loan move of their own.
According to Scott Wilson for the Northern Echo: “West Ham are understood to be lining up a move that would see the forward spent next season at the London Stadium, with the Hammers hierarchy planning a summer overhaul of a squad that struggled domestically this season and is set to lose Declan Rice in a big-money departure.”
Swoop
Diallo cost Manchester United over £37million in January 2021 [Sky Sports] and has yet to make a breakthrough at Old Trafford, but his time at the Stadium of Light under Tony Mowbray has revitalised his development after struggling at Ibrox.
With Manuel Lanzini expected to leave the London Stadium at the end of the season there is certainly room for a new attacking weapon, in a summer where extra firepower is likely to be needed either way.
It doesn’t sound like the Hammers could expect to get him on a permanent deal, unless they were prepared to shell out a massive fee, but a temporary move will spark hopes of emulating Jesse Lingard’s spell in East London.
Things have not gone according to plan for the ex-England star over the past year after rejecting a return to the London Stadium, with his reputation suffering about as much as Diallo’s has been boosted having been released by Nottingham Forest after just a year.
The youngster however looks to be back on an upward trajectory, after proving crucial to Sunderland’s surge into the play-offs.
It won’t be a straight forward approach with other sides interested but it looks like West Ham are set to make a move early to try to come out on top.