Oumar Niasse to join Cardiff City on loan

Out of favour striker Oumar Niasse has joined Cardiff City on a loan deal until the end of the season, after seeing his first-team opportunities dwindle at Everton over the past 12 months. The burly forward has the option to make his loan transfer a permanent contract in June.

Niasse has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Marco Silva, despite having 18 months remaining on his contract at Goodison Park.

The Senegalese player, who arrived at the Toffees in 2015, has failed to live up to expectations and slowly but surely slipped down the pecking order at the club. Recent arrivals of the likes of Cenk Tosun, Theo Walcott and Richarlison have seen Niasse's first-team hopes disappear.

It is understood that Cardiff City, who have secured the first option on a permanent deal for Niasse, will be willing to pay up to £5 million at the end of the campaign to ensure a transfer is pushed through for the Senegalese international.

Everton are looking to revamp their squad in the January transfer window and ditch some of their fringe players.