Newcastle United have been snubbed in their attempts to bring Diafra Sakho to St James’ Park from Premier League rivals West Ham United.
Reports that Mike Ashley was putting Newcastle United up for sale would have been music to the ears of manager Rafa Benitez.
But instead of being handed a huge transfer warchest capable of transforming the Magpies from relegation candidates to top half finishers with the club under new ownership, Ashley is still at the helm; meaning Benitez once again has been forced to sift through the bargain bins.
And after attempting to sign David Luiz, Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge on loan deals, only to be informed that they would be too expensive according to Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast, it is understood that Diafra Sakho also won’t be moving to St James’ Park.
The Sun states that Newcastle have been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Sakho from West Ham.
It is understood that the Hammers are keen to listen to offers for the want-away striker, who is valued at around £12 million, but a move to Everton looks most likely with Toffees boss Sam Allardyce keen to reunite with a player he brought to England from Metz in 2014.
Newcastle need a proven Premier League goalscorer and, when fit, Sakho could be exactly that.
But you cannot help but feel sorry for Benitez when he is limited to trying to sign a player who has not started a top flight game all season on a temporary deal.
And anyway, if West Ham do not think Sakho is good enough to start for them, would he really score the goals required to keep Newcastle out of relegation danger?
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