Hammers deny Sakho exit rumours

Cape Town - West Ham co-chairman David Gold is adamant that Diafra Sakho will not be sold before Thursday's transfer deadline, amid interest from Crystal Palace and Rennes.

The 27-year-old striker looked set to return to France after completing a medical at Roazhon Park, although it emerged he had done so without permission from the Hammers.

Sakho reportedly skipped training with Slaven Bilic's squad on Wednesday to push through a deal, which now appears dead in the water.

After the Eagles supposedly lodged a £10 million bid for the Senegal international on the same day, Gold has moved to clear the air regarding his future at the London Stadium.

"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," Gold wrote on Twitter.

The Metz youth product missed a large chunk of the 2016/17 campaign with a series of injuries, which limited him to just four Premier League appearances for Bilic's side.

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. dg pic.twitter.com/wtBNB8H2D5

— David Gold (@davidgold) August 30, 2017