The Black Cats are desperately looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of next week's transfer deadline after seeing Darren Bent depart for Aston Villa last week. Sunderland are believed to have made more than a dozen enquires in the past week, one of which was to West Ham for Piquionne. But it is understood that the Hammers have rebuffed their approach and have no intention of letting Piquionne leave. The 32-year-old former France international only moved to Upton Park last summer, as he followed Avram Grant from Portsmouth - signing a three-year deal. Piquionne highlighted his importance to the Hammers' cause when he scored at Everton at the weekend, before being shown a second yellow card for his celebrations. West Ham are also believed to have got one over on Sunderland in the race for Demba Ba, who is joining the Hammers, with the Black Cats being one of the other options he rejected.
