Sunderland target Diafra Sakho wants to leave West Ham - reports

The Black Cats have been in negotiations with West Ham over a big-money move for Sakho, as Sam Allardyce looks for attacking reinforcements in the transfer market.

A new striker is understood to be one of five positions that Allardyce is keen to address this summer, with Jermain Defoe the only orthodox frontman currently at his disposal.

Sunderland tabled a £11million bid for Sakho earlier this month and there are widespread reports today that the 26-year-old spoke with Hammers boss Slaven Bilic over the weekend and asked to leave the club.

West Ham are looking to add to their forward ranks with a big-money move for a new frontman, which is likely to leave Sakho with limited opportunities.

Sakho knows Allardyce well, having spent his first season in England working under the Sunderland boss after joining West Ham in a £3.5m move from French side Metz.

However, while Sunderland are the favourites to land Sakho, they are not his only suitors, with West Brom also thought to be interested.