The Insider

The Insider clears up speculation surrounding a possible swap deal involving Diafra Sakho

Both Slaven Bilic and Joint-Chairman David Sullivan have made it clear that the Club are looking to bring in a top quality striker who can score 20 goals a season.


As a result there has been continued speculation since the season ended on which players will be brought into the squad.


Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette, Christian Benteke and Wilfried Bony are just a few of the big names that have been linked with a move to the east London Club.


It is not just arrivals that have been talked about, but possible departures as well.


There have been reports over the summer linking Diafra Sakho with a move away from the Hammers with former manager Sam Allardyce reported to be interested in signing the Senegal forward.


Stories emerged last week that West Ham could even entertain a swap deal involving Sakho and West Brom Saido Berahino.


But my sources have told me that the Club are not interested in that move taking place.


There has also been speculation surrounding the future of James Tomkins.


Reports have indicated that Sunderland, Crystal Palace, West Brom and Stoke are interested in making a move for the 27-year-old who joined West Ham as a schoolboy back in 1996 and is a graduate of the Academy of Football.


However, with the Club preparing for another busy season and the potential of playing in the Europa League group stages, there will be a number of games for players to stake their claim for a first-team place.


The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United