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Why This West Ham Star Could Be An Ideal Partner For Defoe At Sunderland

While Sunderland are set to see their manager Sam Allardyce take up the England national team job, the side are planning ahead of next season and are trying to sign Diafra Sakho. The Black Cats have already tabled a reported bid of £11 million for the want away striker but the deal could have hit a snag as West Ham do want to sell him but only if they can get someone to replace the 26-year-old striker.

Sakho did score five goals last season but the Hammers want to bring in someone who is a better threat upfront and are willing to let go of the Senegalese star. Sunderland do require some firepower at the top of the attack and Sakho could well be the perfect partner for Jermain Defoe, the man who kept Sunderland in the top flight last season.

An attacking pair that could be great in the Premier League

Although Sam Allardyce mostly played with just Defoe up top, the 33-year-old did score 15 goals for the Black Cats and saved them from the drop but the second half of the season was when Sunderland really woke up and Sam or anyone else who does take up the side this season would want to avoid that.

Diafra Sakho might not be in the running for a starting place for West Ham but he still is extremely effective in the Premier League and is known for his finishing skills, something that Defoe is great at also.

The 26-year-old West Ham player can also play in a range of positions from wide left to wide right and even as a central striker. That kind of mobility is missing at Sunderland and with Sakho joining the ranks, Defoe could play either with him or behind him and Sakho could do something similar with the Senegalese star playing behind the English striker, there are a number of permutations and combinations which can work in the favour of the side.

Sakho is also someone who isn’t shy of tracking back and helping the side out in defence and that is exactly the kind of player that Sunderland could use next season. There is one concern with both players not being the best at avoiding offsides but if they can work as a pair, it could ensure that Sunderland do not have to worry about being relegated at all.

The Black Cats do need another option should Defoe get injured or needs a rest and Sakho could well be the man who can provide Allardyce another decent option at the tip of the attack. He would be a cheap option for the side and would certainly do well if deployed in the right way, something that Sam Allardyce is known for.

Sunderland should wrap up the deal soon but it all depends on the Hammers finding a decent replacement for the 26-year-old.