In one of the stranger stories of transfer deadline day, Diafra Sakho, after going AWOL in France and passing a medical with Rennes before being told to return to West Ham and being offered a new contract, also took time off to bet on a horse at Chelmsford, where he won some money.
The Senegalese forward, who has struggled with injuries following a good first season with the Hammers, was seemingly very keen about a return to France, something he made abundantly clear when talking to Galsenfoot.
He said: “I had some bad times over the past few seasons. I want to leave. I want to play football regularly. I don’t have a problem with the team or the fans. It’s purely a football decision. I want to return to France.”
Making a name for himself in Ligue 2 with Metz before his move to Upton Park, the 27-year-old was a target for Rennes in Ligue 1, as the French side looked to continue their impressive transfer window.
Unfortunately for them, David Gold, via his Twitter account, was adamant the player would be staying at London Stadium for the coming season.
So far this season, Sakho has played 135 minutes of football over four appearances, scoring one goal and picking up one assist in West Ham’s poor start to the 2017/18 campaign.
