West Ham have told wantaway striker Diafra Sakho he will not be sold until replacements have been brought in.

The 26-year-old refused to travel with West Ham's squad for their pre-season training camp in Austria and handed in a transfer request as he looks to leave this summer.

It is no secret that West Ham are searching for a big-name striker but talks between the London club and Carlos Bacca's representatives have cooled.

Diafra Sakho has refused to travel with West Ham's squad to their Austria training camp to push a move away

David Sullivan, the club's co-owner, says he won't be sold until replacements have been brought in

Bacca wanted to become West Ham's best-paid player alongside Dimitri Payet on £120,000 per week – double what the 29-year-old is currently paid by AC Milan – and that deal does not look close to concluding.

David Sullivan, the club's co-owner, admits he is 'concerned' over their lack of additions in attack but had a word of warning for Sakho as he persists with his protest.

'He is not for sale until we get players in,' Sullivan told Sportsmail. 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. But until we get at least a couple of strikers we can’t let any forward go.'

Sunderland had a £12million bid rejected for Sakho but are still interested in the Senegal international. They have competition, though, with West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Swansea City and Newcastle United also in the frame for the player with 15 goals in 43 appearances in the Premier League.

West Ham are searching for a big-name striker to take Sakho's place but Sullivan admits progress is slow

Sullivan feels this is as 'barmy' a transfer window he can remember and insists it is tougher than ever to sign a striker.

'The problem is every striker you go for there are 10 others clubs interested in him,' Sullivan added. So the player is just hanging about looking to get the best deal. I can’t say I blame him.

'I would say to people if we don’t bring anyone in it is not the end of the world as we were the fourth highest scorers in the Premier League last season – and we haven’t lost a striker.

'In a perfect world I would like to think we will bring in a top class striker but we’ve all got limits on what we can pay.'

The Irons' talks over a £27million deal for AC Milan forward Carlos Bacca have become protracted

Asked if he is worried, Sullivan said: 'I am a little concerned because I’d like to have signed one by now. But it is what it is.'

On Andy Carroll, who last season scored nine goals in 27 appearances in the Premier League, Sullivan said the forward is back to his best following injury problems.

'Andy has just had the best six months he has ever had for the club and now he has had a couple of operations he should be over all his injuries,' Sullivan said.

'So hopefully he should have an injury-free season and get 15 or 20 goals.'



