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Sam Allardyce believes Winston Reid already has a verbal agreement to join another Premier League club this summer.

But the West Ham manager will continue to pick the New Zealand defender for the rest of the season as his team chase a European place.

Big Sam claimed the Irons had made the Arsenal target “a million offers” over the last 12 months to agree a new contract.

(Image: Stuart MacFarlane)

But, before tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Everton, Allardyce said: “His future is that his contract ends on 30 June - he hasn’t said that he is or isn’t going to sign at the moment. By the feel of it you’d err on the side that he won’t so I think it’s unlikely.

“I just feel it’s gone on so long and with what other managers are telling me it doesn’t bode well.

“I think he thinks he can do better. He thinks he can find a bigger club than we are. He thinks he can financially benefit more than what we’ve offered. That’s what’s in his mind whether that’s the opportunity or not.

"If he’s not going to sign a contract I would think that realistically I find it highly unlikely if it’s not already verbally done. Are other managers getting calls from his agent? You said that, not me.”

Reid and his representatives can speak to foreign clubs now although Premier League clubs technically need permission.

(Image: Jamie McDonald)

“He’s only allowed to speak to foreign clubs,” stated Allarydce. “But can we prove it?”

And the Irons boss again insisted Reid will not be sold this month.

“You have to balance it out - what is it £1.8m a place this year?” he asked. “And whatever money we get won’t be enough to replace him in January.”

Diafra Sakho was seeing a specialist in London today to decide whether his back injury will be able to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Although Alex Song and Cheikh Kouyate are away, Allardyce promised to pick his strongest side a year after sending out his “most inexperienced side” for a 5-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

See all the action from the New Year's Day 3pm kick-offs:

The injury-hit Hammers then lost 6-0 to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup.

“It was a dark, dark period,” Allardyce recalled.

“This year we can prioritise the FA Cup because of our league position. Last year it was the bottom of our priorities because we were concentrating on getting out of trouble while also being in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.”