Silva has been unable to reignite successful Hull relationship with Niasse at Everton

By Sam Preston

Everton are looking to offload striker Oumar Niasse during the January transfer window, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The 28-year-old has slipped right down the striking pecking order at Goodison Park and Marco Silva is now reportedly ready to put an end to a Toffees career that has never truly taken off since Roberto Martinez signed him in January 2016.

Everton want to sell Niasse, but according to the report, the main interest so far has come in the shape of a loan approach from struggling Cardiff City, who are currently using utility man Callum Paterson up front.

Silva and Niasse worked together before the Portuguese pitched up at Goodison in the summer; at Hull City in the second half of the 2016/17 season.

(LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)

That spell brought about Niasse’s best spell of form in English football; he netted four league goals as Silva transformed the mood around the club but was unable to keep the Tigers in the top flight.

So Silva clearly knows what makes Niasse tick, but he has been unable to unlock it again at Goodison, which must be disappointing for a player who has never really had a crack of the whip on Merseyside, under any manager.

Silva has done lots of exceptional work since arriving at Everton, but he has failed to galvanise Niasse for a second time.