West Ham have not given up on their bid to sign Alex Song from Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

Song impressed during the first half of a season-long loan last campaign as he helped the Londoners climb fourth in the table but his dip in form coincided with the club’s slide down the table.

The former Arsenal star has one year left on his Barca contract but has been told he can leave with Southampton, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham reportedly interested.

However, joint chairman David Sullivan remains hopeful of securing the 27-year-old on a permanent basis to further strengthen the midfield ranks following Pedro Obiang’s arrival from Sampdora.

"I can assure you we have not given up on Alex Song yet," he said on the club's website.

"Before Christmas, Alex was outstanding and if we believe we can get him back to that sort of form and maybe with a new manager we can, we would very much like Alex to come.

"We are very thin on the ground with midfielders. You do get injuries and you need back-up. We have got Europe and other games that we want to win.

"There was not enough competition for places last season and this year we don't want the same again. If the players have a bad game they will have to fight for their position back."