West Ham United are said to be closing in on the talented midfielder?
According to a report from the Daily Mail, West Ham United have revived their interest in Osmanlispor midfielder Badou Ndiaye, having initially sounded out the Turkish side about a possible transfer at the end of last season. But if the Hammers seal a deal for the £8.5million-rated player, would it be bad news for Mark Noble?
West Ham’s under-performing skipper came in for plenty of criticism last season, and while his performances improved in the final few months of the campaign, the arrival of a new goal-scoring midfielder would only prompt more questions about his place in Slaven Bilic’s starting line-up.
At 26, Ndiaye is arguably at his peak, and with seven goals from midfield last season and 11 the year before, it is clear why West Ham are keen on the Senegal international.
With Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate the best holding midfield duo at West Ham’s disposal, the arrival of Ndiaye would potentially leave Noble surplus to requirements, or at the very least fighting for starts when all his teammates are fit and available.
The Hammers skipper may only be 30 himself, yet he needs to considerably up his game or risk being dropped from a side that cannot afford another campaign like the last, when a terrible start ensured they were quickly fighting a losing battle to win over the doubters after a terrible transfer window.
A deal for Ndiaye still needs to be done, but if Bilic can get him for just £8.5million, it seems a no-brainer with West Ham desperate for more goals from midfield.
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