West Ham striker Diafra Sakho has transfer talks held up as he watches agent's racehorse win at Chelmsford

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Transfer deadline day is usually a rush for the players and managers involved as they look to complete last-minute deals - but not for Diafra Sakho.

The striker is keen to leave West Ham United for Ligue 1 club Rennes, having travelled to France for a medical and to agree personal terms.

However he did not have the permission of the Hammers, and so returned to England on Thursday for talks with owners David Gold and David Sullivan about 'off-field personal issues'. 

Diafra Sakho's transfer talks with West Ham were held up due to his agent's horse racing

The Senegalese international arrived back in the early afternoon, but took a detour before meeting West Ham bosses so his agent, Mark McKay, could watch a racehorse he owns in action.

McKay's charge, Siege of Boston, was a 9/2 shot in a the seven furlong 3.20 at Chelmsford, with Sakho reportedly waiting in the car park and keeping a low profile.

It was good news for McKay, as Siege of Boston came through to win - now it waits to be seen whether he can be as successful in another piece of business, as he and Sakho travel to the London Stadium for talks.

Sakho is keen to join Rennes but had a medical in France without West Ham's permission

Rennes made an £8m bid for Sakho, which he is said to favour, although Crystal Palace have also launched a late £10m offer.

Sakho, following a 2014 move from Metz, fired in 10 Premier League goals in his debut season, but has scored only six in two years since.

He has suffered regular hamstring problems, and has fallen down the Hammers pecking order following the arrival of Javier Hernandez, although the Londoners still insist he is not for sale.