The Newcastle United takeover by mega rich Saudis could end up clearing the path for West Ham United to sign the striker being lined up by David Moyes in January.
Newcastle have dominated the headlines since Amanda Staveley finally sealed the deal for the Saudi fund – said to have a staggering net worth of £320 billion – to takeover the Magies.
West Ham have repelled their own takeover interest of late.
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Newly minted Newcastle making waves as Hammers focus on much-needed striker signing
But David Moyes’s key focus is on signing a much-needed striker in January.
Moyes appears to have finally settled on a striker he wants to sign as back-up for Michail Antonio.
According to a recent report from The Sun that man is Clermont striker Mohamed Bayo.
Moyes recently admitted that his six month search for a striker to stand in for Antonio at West Ham proved fruitless in the summer (Independent).
West Ham want Bayo but so do Brighton, where he would be a guaranteed starter
Bayo scored 22 goals as he helped Clermont get promoted to Ligue 1 last season.
And The Sun claims Moyes is still interested after enquiring about him over the summer.
The Sun’s report claims West Ham could get the 23-year-old – who has taken to Ligue 1 like a duck to water with five goals and two assists in his first seven games – for just £10 million in January.
How Newcastle takeover could clear path for West Ham to sign striker in January
Bayo would be a guaranteed starter at the AMEX. So West Ham fear he could end up choosing a move to the high-flying Seagulls instead.
But Newcastle’s takeover could have a direct impact on West Ham’s move for Bayo.
That’s after The Sun claimed Brighton will drop their interest in the powerful 6ft 1in forward if Newcastle push ahead with a planned move for their manager Graham Potter.
“Brighton see him (Bayo) as a long-term project and are now waiting for the bidding to start,” The Sun claims.
Newcastle plot move for Seagulls boss Potter which would see them drop interest in Moyes target Bayo
“It is, however, unclear whether Bayo will remain a target should the newly richest club in world football, Newcastle, come calling for boss Graham Potter.
“SunSport exclusively revealed the Englishman is high on the list of potential managers to replace unpopular boss Steve Bruce.
“Newcastle, backed by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund – worth around £320bn – are impressed by the job Potter has done.”
Bayo on his wayo?
So Newcastle could well hold the key to West Ham finally getting the striker signing they so desperately need.
Another important factor for West Ham will be staying in Europe for the knockout stages in March.
That would give someone like Bayo an added incentive to join the Hammers.