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Exiled West Ham midfielder Morgan Amalfitano is a target for Saint-Etienne.

We revealed on Tuesday that the 30-year-old French midfielder had been banished from the first team by new manager Slaven Bilic after a bust-up between the pair.

Amalfitano has been told to stay away from the Hammers' Chadwell Heath HQ and is training with their Under-21s at the nearby Rush Green facility.

Former Marseille star Amalfitano had missed a team meeting and is understand to have "shown attitude" to Bilic when confronted.

West Ham are now ready to listen to offers and French side St Etienne are among several clubs interested.

Meanwhile, former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes they were right to decide against signing Joey Barton.

(Image: Action Images)

The Irons had been in advanced talks over a deal with the controversial midfielder before pulling out amid concern from fans,

And Allardyce told talkSPORT: "I don't think you need the added pressure if the fans aren't happy with a player, even as good a player as Joey Barton.

"I had it when El Hadji Diouf with us when I first got there and there was a big reaction against him. You get enough pressure as it is as manager without adding to it yourself.

"So it's probably the right decision in the end — as much as I am disappointed for Joey."

* DIAFRA SAKHO is set to keep his place in the team despite his arrest for alleged assault. The striker is understood to be denying the allegations against him and the club are waiting for the legal process to take its course.