Diafra Sakho skips West Ham training but club will play hardball with Rennes target
Hammers co-chairman David Gold is adamant he will not sell the striker despite reports he underwent a medical in France ahead of £9m move
WEST HAM will play hardball with Diafra Sakho after the wantaway striker missed training yesterday.
Reports claimed Sakho was closing in on a £9million move to French outfit Rennes without the Hammers’ permission.
Crystal Palace have also been linked with a bid for the injury-hit 27-year-old, who has been restricted to just 58 games in three years with the club.
But Hammers co-chairman David Gold tweeted: “Diafra Sakho is not for sale in this transfer window.
“He is an integral part of our first-team squad and will play a part in our recovery.”
Sakho had reportedly travelled to France for a medical against his employer's wishes and was cleared to make his switch.
But West Ham rejected the £4m offer plus add-ons leaving the six-cap Senegal international in limbo.
After a solid start to life in East London, Sakho struggled with injuries.
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Last campaign, he only featured four times in all competitions – scoring once.
The Hammers have added Javier Hernandez to their options up front this summer, with Marko Arnautovic and Sead Haksabanovic brought in to play behind the striker.
Under-fire boss Slaven Bilic is still trying to land Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho after surviving a grilling by co-owner David Sullivan.
But the Hammers have told Sporting to drop their £40m asking price by £5m or forget it.