Oumar Niasse of Everton during the premier league match at the Turf Moor Stadium, Burnley. Picture date 3rd March 2018. Picture credit should read: Simon Bellis/Sportimage PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK
According to Birmingham Live, Oumar Niasse has expressed his desire to link up with Sam Allardyce at West Brom. The former Everton forward is a free agent after being released by Everton before the start of this season. Allardyce brought Niasse to Everton during his spell at the club.
The 30-year-old Senegalese striker began his professional career at local side US Ouakam in 2008. During his time there, he had a short loan spell at Norwegian club SK Brann.
Akhisarspor signed him in 2013 but he would stay there for just one season. A move to Lokomotiv Moscow followed and that is where his best form was on display. In 42 games, he scored 14 goals and assisted 19. That attracted the attention of Everton and he was signed in 2016.
However, he wouldn’t experience the same success there. He was sent on loan spells to Cardiff City and Hull, where he didn’t have much to show for. On his return, he featured sporadically for Everton before being released earlier this year. Niasse has 9 caps for Senegal, scoring thrice.
Niasse has fallen a long way from being a prolific striker at Lokomotiv Moscow. He could only show glimpses of his prowess during his English sojourn while ultimately failing to impress at the three clubs. His best season came in 2017-18 when he scored 8 and assisted 3 for Everton.
West Brom aren’t enjoying the best of times on their return to the top-flight as they sit in the relegation places. They were the first side in the league this season to sack their manager Slaven Bilic and appoint Sam Allardyce. Their attack as well as defence has let them down this season.
While it may seem that the club could use an experienced striker to solve their goalscoring woes, signing Niasse isn’t something they should do. Allardyce may have the experience of handling the striker and a reunion seems good but one needs to consider the fact that Niasse has been out of form for quite a while now.
West Brom have a decent stock of forwards in Callum Robinson, Hal Robson-Kanu and the newly signed Karlan Grant. Yes, they are yet to fire on a consistent basis, but there seems no need to add another striker who hasn’t quite clicked in England. It may look like a good deal for Everton given Niasse’s free agent status. Nonetheless, this is one deal Everton should stay away from.