Diafra Sakho: 'I still want to leave West Ham United'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 25 October 2017

Diafra Sakho reveals that he still wants to leave West Ham United, having seen a summer transfer to Ligue 1 side Rennes collapse late on.

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho has stressed that he is still intent on leaving the club following his failed deadline-day move in the summer.

The 27-year-old instigated a transfer to Ligue 1 side Rennes by flying to France and passing a medical, despite Hammers chiefs categorically ruling out a sale.

Sakho saw his London Stadium exit plans fall through in the final hours of the window, which boss Slaven Bilic hoped would provide him with a fresh start in East London.

Speaking to French journalist Claude Atcheba, however, the Senegal international outlined his desire to move on when the transfer window reopens for business.

"I still want to leave," he said. "I always say it. I don't hide it. Fans happy or not, I want to change environment. I want to see something else in regard to everything that happened to me. I spent three wonderful years at West Ham.

"Even more I learned that I was the best goal-scorers in activity in regards of all games I played. I can only be happy but overall I want to change my environment to see other things, and I think going to France would be good to find a challenge for my career.

"And why not one day come back here or somewhere else but today I want to change my environment."

Sakho netted 12 times in 26 matches for United in his first season at the club, but has a combined seven league goals since the start of 2015-16.