West Ham United close in on Diafra Sakho signing?

West Ham United are closing in on a £3.5m deal for Metz striker Diafra Sakho, according to reports.

The 24-year-old is thought to be Andy Carroll's replacement following the news of his four-month injury absence.

Hammers chairman David Sullivan admitted that he had made "three or four" bids for strikers and Sakho is one of them, according to The Mirror.

Senegalese striker Sakho was named best player in the French Ligue 2 last season.

Sakho also scored 19 times in 20 appearances during the past two seasons.