Diafra Sakho could be offered a new contract to remain at West Ham after talks were held following a following a crazy 48 hours regarding the future of the striker.
The 27-year-old left the club to join Ligue 1 side Rennes in the final two days of the transfer window but a spectacular u-turn has seen him return to east London.
According to Sky Sports transfer expert, Kaveh Solhekol, he revealed on his personal Twitter account following the news that Sakho could now be offered a new contract to remain at the London Stadium for the foreseeable future.
Diafra Sakho staying at West Ham after talks. May be offered new deal. Club understand his personal problems. He's proud to play for WHUFC
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 31, 2017
The Daily Mail reported that the player travelled to Rennes on Wednesday in order to undergo a medical without the Hammers’ permission over a potential move to the Ligue 1 side.
The Hammers forced him to return for talks, which saw the attacker talk to co-owner David Sullivan despite talking slight detour to watch his agent Mark McKay’s horse at Chepstow in Thursday’s 3.20.
Now, the six-time Senegal international has returned to the club and is set to feature in West Ham’s next match against Huddersfield on September 11.
Football Weeks considers whether handing the Senegalese attacker a new deal is a good move, and if it is likely to happen.
Good move for West Ham?
Diafra Sakho is in the final year of his contract at the London Stadium, after he endured a difficult spell on the sidelines last season that saw him struggle to overcome a back problem.
It eventually saw him undergo an operation, after he registered just four appearances across all competitions for West Ham throughout the entire season.
However, Sakho has shown in his three seasons at the London Stadium that he is more than capable of finding the back of the net regularly, netting 16 goals and creating another three in 51 top-flight outings.
This season, the Senegalese has even scored against Cheltenham Town and provided an assist in the Carabao Cup. With Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic yet to make a name in claret and blue, Sakho must be offered a new deal.
Is this deal going to happen?
Diafra Sakho and the Hammers hierarchy seemed to have put aside their differences for the good of the club and with Solhekol claiming “he’s proud to play for West Ham”, a new contract is likely to be in the offing.
West Ham could lose Sakho under the bosman ruling on January 1, with non-English clubs allowed to approach him in the final six months of his contract.
If he signs on a free with another club in those six months, it would see him remain with West Ham until the end of his contract which expires on June 30.
The Hammers will want to avoid losing him for nothing and by extending his stay, they will avoid such an occurrence.