Diafra Sakho skips West Ham training but club will play hardball with Rennes target

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.

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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.

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