Transfer Centre

David Sullivan: 'Diafra Sakho staying for now'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 20 July 2016

West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan insists that Diafra Sakho will not be allowed to leave the club until a new centre-forward arrives.

West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has insisted that Diafra Sakho will not be allowed to leave the club until a new centre-forward arrives.

Sakho, 26, who scored five times in 21 Premier League appearances last season, reportedly refused to travel on the club's pre-season tour of Austria after handing in a transfer request.

It was thought that the Senegal international was close to leaving the capital club, but Sullivan has insisted that the forward will remain a Hammers player as things stand.

"He is not for sale until we get players in. Until we bring strikers in, we simply cannot let strikers go. James Tomkins was different because we had a surplus in the centre-half department," Sullivan told The Mirror. "But until we get at least a couple of strikers we can't let any forward go. I am a little concerned because I'd like to have signed one by now. But it is what it is."

Sakho, who has been linked with a move to Sunderland, joined West Ham from French side Metz in 2014 and has scored 19 times in 49 appearances, including 15 times in the Premier League.