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Diafra Sakho set for West Ham u-turn?

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Hammers boss hints striker could stay at Olympic Stadium

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has surprisingly hinted that want-away striker Diafra Sakho could still have a future at the club, after the player’s move to West Brom fell through on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Senegal international was set to complete a permanent move to the Hawthorns, for a fee in the region of ÂŁ16 million, however, it is claimed the player failed a medical and was subsequently sent back to the Hammers.

However, Bilic has suggested that Sakho could still feature for West Ham, in their new Olympic Stadium home, after admitting the demands of European football mean the club need to bring in another five players before the end of the transfer window.

And with the Premier League set to be as competitive as last campaign, with new investors and owners taking over for their first full campaign at various clubs throughout the division, and further big name players joining teams up and down the league, Bilic cannot let his Hammers side fall short.

“I have no problems saying that playing in the Europa League lowers your chances in the Premier League,” said Bilic.

“It doesn’t matter, we want to try. It brings positive things. You gain something, you lose something.

“Basically we have five games before the September international break and this squad is not big enough. Hopefully we will have a minimum of five players to add to this squad.”

Sakho was not present in Hammers squad that beat NK Domzale 3-0 in their third round qualifying fixture for the Europa League, at their new Stratford home.

However, with the Senegalese’s proposed move to the midlands having now fallen through, and Bilic still without Euro 2016 stars Dimitri Payet, James Collins and Angelo Ogbonna, on top of other injured key players, Sakho is being tipped for further success in east London.

“I don’t know any details. He’s our player, he’s contracted to us, and could be a great player. That’s all I can say about it.” Bilic added.

“I am a bit sorry for him and a bit surprised that he didn’t pass the medical. He’s a good player, he’s our player and as long as he is our player he is very capable. He’s a quality player.”

Now England boss Sam Allardyce, brought Sakho from Metz, as Hammers boss, in 2014, and is contracted to the club until 2018, having netted 15 times in 43 Premier League matches so far.

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