Swans linked with move for Hammers ace Sakho
Swansea City ere eyeing up a move for West Ham striker Diafra Sakho as they look to hand new boss Carlos Carvalhal a January survival boost.
And Sakho’s fellow Hammers star Andre Ayew has also been considered for a return to South Wales as Swansea look to Premier League survival in 2018 by solving their goalscoring issues.
But Alfie Mawson won’t be heading the other way, with the Liberty club showing their determination to hang on to the centre-back – opening talks over a new deal for the defender.
Carvalhal, who enjoyed a stunning debut as manager after the 2-1 weekend win over Watford, said he had not discussed transfer budgets ahead of the January transfer window opening.
Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if Swansea’s hierarchy provide the funds needed to boost the side’s bid to escape the drop for a second season running.
Attacking players are a priority, with Swansea the lowest scorers in the top-flight having failed to cover the summer loss of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente.
Ayew, who spent a successful season at the Liberty in 2015/16, is thought to have been in Swansea’s sights with West Ham prepared to let the Ghana international leave the London Stadium.
But it is understood the 28-yearold’s wages are a stumbling block in any potential shock deal to see him link up with brother Jordan at Swansea.
Instead, Swansea could pursue a move for Senegal star Sakho, who is seeking a move away from the Hammers to aid his World Cup hopes.
And the 28-year-old, who scored the London Stadium winner against Swansea in September, would be available on the cheap as he prepares to enter the final six months of his contract with David Moyes’ side.
West Ham, though, are likely to want to recoup a sizeable amount of the £20.5m they paid for Ayew if Swansea are to press ahead with interest in their former star.
The former Marseille man left the Liberty in August 2016 but has failed to recapture his form in London.
Ayew was already a big earner at Swansea and is thought to have increased his salary after his move, which is said to have made Swansea think twice.
It has been claimed a partexchange with defender Mawson would help a deal happen, but it has been made clear Swans have no intention of letting their former the 23-year-old leave this window.
Mawson has attracted interest from Tottenham following his performances for England in last summer’s European Under 21 Championships. But West Ham are thought to be keen on stealing a march on Spurs in the race for Mawson, with some suggestions they have already made advances over a £18m deal only to be told there is a £25m valuation on the former Barnsley man’s head.
Yet Swans chairman Huw Jenkins has denied there has been any approach or offer from West Ham regarding Mawson, who arrived in South Wales in a £5m move from Oakwell in August 2016.
And instead Swansea are hoping to persuade him to sign a new contract, despite having two-and-a-half years left to run on his current deal.
“We have had no approach, no offers from West Ham on anything to do with Alfie,” said Jenkins.
“The intentions are to keep every player and we are talking to Alfie and his agents (about a new contract).”
Swansea’s priorities will be adding attacking options having struggled badly for goals, and Sakho is being considered as being able to boost those options – especially given Carvalho has a preference for playing two strikers in tandem.
Sakho, who has not started a Premier League game this year, has seen his chances limited at West Ham after seeing his season hit by injuries last term.
He saw a move to Ligue 1 outfit Rennes collapse on deadline day when West Ham performed a U-turn on the agreement at the 11th hour.