According to reports West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is considering his future at the club.
The Hammers have brought in Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic this summer for a combined £39 million.
Slaven Bilic has been forced to make do without injury-prone duo Andy Carroll and Sakho for much of his time in the West Ham hotseat.
Now Senegal striker Sakho is nearing full fitness and has made cameo appearances in both of West Ham’s opening two defeats of the new Premier League season.
But reports this week from the likes of talkSPORT claim Sakho is considering his future with Chicharito the first choice striker.
He established himself as a firm fans’ favourite when he arrived at the club scoring in eight consecutive matches.
Injuries have hampered his progress, though, and he also had a falling out with Bilic after he was left out of the team for a game against Arsenal.
Last season was virtually a write-off for Sakho and it now appears he could be set to leave.
So who are the players on West Ham’s radar who could replace him?
Raul Jimenez
Benfica forward Raul Jimenez has been linked with a move to West Ham all summer.
According to reports Bilic faces competition from Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho for his signature but if Sakho does leave, Jimenez could well see more game time in London.
According to the Express, West Ham are keen to pair Jimenez with his Mexican international team-mate Javier Hernandez as they aim to improve the club’s fortunes on the pitch this season.
A skillful maverick of a striker in the Paolo Di Canio mould, should Jimenez adapt to English football he would be a sure fire hit with West Ham fans.
Michy Batshuayi
West Ham have been seriously interested in Batshuayi for well over a year but missed out on his signature to Chelsea last summer.
West Ham are believed to remain keen on a potential loan deal should Chelsea land another striker with the likes of Jamie Vardy being linked with a move to West London.
Lille are the latest club to be linked with a move for the Belgian – as reported by The Sun – but having settled in London he is expected to resist a permanent move and instead seek a loan if his first team chances become even more limited.
Abdul Majeed Waris
The lesser known of the three players is Lorient forward Abdul Majeed Waris.
The Ghanaian is on Bilic’s radar but he could face competition from Burnley and West Bromwich Albion according to the Daily Mail.
Waris is capable of being utilised as a winger on either flank as well as an out-and-out striker, notching a total of 21 goals in 58 games throughout his two seasons with Lorient.
As a result of this promising form, a number of other top clubs, including Celtic, Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham have also been tracking the striker who would be the most like-for-like replacement for Sakho should his fellow African depart West Ham.
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