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West Ham have agreed a shock £3.5million deal for Metz's Senegalese striker Diafra Sakho.

Supremo David Sullivan has been chasing a new hit man to fill Andy Carroll's boots and has gone in for the powerful 24-year-old.

Sakho had a prolific season with Metz in the French second tier and his cost and availability have been in his favour.

The Hammers were looking for one or two strikers, including experienced Peter Crouch, with Sullivan confessing they had a short list of six.

Sakho is keen to come and is expected to be on his way from France immediately for talks and a medical.

Boss Sam Allardyce has taken a back seat in the chase as Sullivan and his advisers try to find the missing link.

Sakho has scored 19 and 20 goals in the last two seasons, an excellent average even if the opposition is not top flight.

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