Trio of Prem clubs want Senegalese striker – report

Zach Holland
Khouma Babacar: Attracted interest from a host of clubs

Everton and West Ham are set to battle it out with Crystal Palace over the summer in a bid to sign Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar, according to reports.

The Senegal striker has been linked with a move to Palace recently after the Daily Mail claimed they were looking at the 23-year-old as a potential replacement for either of recently-released duo Emanuele Adebayor and Maroune Chamakh.

It was also reported recently by Football Italia that the Fiorentina ace could move to the Selhurst Park for a fee around £10million.

However the race to acquire the player’s services is set to hot up as two other Premier League clubs are set to join the race for the Senegalese international.

Italian media outlet Tuttomercatoweb has claimed recently that Babacar has also attracted interest from Everton and West Ham and both clubs are keen on striking a deal with Fiorentina for the player’s signature.

Both clubs look to be in the market for a new striker as the speculation regarding Romelu Lukaku’s future at Everton still remains unclear and also West Ham have been linked with several forwards across Europe.

Also according to Sky Sports, West Ham striker Diafra Sakho has asked boss Slavan Bilic to leave to the club, which also may put the Hammers in the market for a potential replacement.

Babacar signed for Fiorentina back in 2009 and has gone on to make 61 appearances for the club along with scoring 13 goals.

His most stellar season came when he went spent a season on loan at Italian Serie B side Modena during the 2013/2014 season, where he scored 21 goals in 41 appearances for the club.