West Ham: Italian giants target Valencia, Sakho latest, move for Barcelona defender

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Carlos Bacca’s move to West Ham is edging ever closer, but his arrival could signal the departures of Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho. The Daily Mail are reporting that West Ham are keen to tie up a deal for Milan forward Bacca so that Lazio can press ahead in their pursuit of Valencia.

The Ecuadorian was impressive in his first two seasons with the Hammers, but found himself on the fringes of the squad under Slaven Bilic last term. Lazio are expected to take him on a season-long loan with a view to an £11 million permanent move next summer.

Sunderland are hoping to be the beneficiaries of this domino effect, and they’re hoping to re-unite Sakho with his old boss Sam Allardyce; if Allardyce doesn’t get the England job that is. The Senegalese forward has grown increasingly frustrated at the uncertainty surrounding his future and handed in a transfer request last week.

The Daily Express are linking West Ham with a surprise move for former Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgium international has made just 11 La Liga appearances in two seasons with Barcelona, and the purchases of Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne have pushed him further down the pecking order.

Their report suggest that Vermaelen is waiting for a call from former boss Arsene Wenger, but that appears extremely unlikely given his dramatic loss of form towards the end of his time at Arsenal. Following the departure of James Tomkins, the Hammers are in need of a centre back with Premier League experience and the left-footed Vermaelen fits the bill.

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