West Brom are interested in signing striker M’Baye Niang from Rennes, The Sun journalist Alan Nixon has claimed.
The Baggies remain in the market for a striker this summer, as they look for a regular source of goals to ensure they are competitive in the Premier League this season.
Niang originally joined Rennes on loan from Torino back in the summer of 2018, before making his move permanent 12 months later, and has scored a total of 29 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 club, seemingly attracting attention from West Brom in the process.
According to Nixon’s latest update, the Baggies are working to sign Niang on loan for the 2020/21 campaign, with the size of the loan fee paid to Rennes currently a sticking point.
It is also thought that any potential deal could include the option for West Brom to make the move permanent next summer, if they avoid relegation to the Championship this season.
WEST BROM. Very keen to sign Niang from Rennes. Main argument seems to be over size of loan fee. Poss buy if stay up.
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) September 20, 2020
Niang is of course no stranger to the Premier League, having scored two goals in 16 league appearances during a loan spell with Watford during the 2016/17 season.
As things stand, there are three years remaining on Niang’s contract with Rennes, putting them in a strong position to negotiate whatever offer might come in for the 25-year-old.
With the need for a goalscorer at The Hawthorns yet to really go away, it does seem as though this could be a move worth considering for West Brom.
While he was not exactly prolific for Watford, Niang does seem to have found some more encouraging form in France with Rennes, meaning he could be ready for another chance to prove himself in the top-flight of English football.
That is something that could appeal to Niang himself, meaning it could work out well for both parties if West Brom are able to get this deal done.
