Diafra Sakho has reportedly been offered the chance to save his West Ham career.
According to The Sun, West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho could earn a new contract with the club if he impresses upon his return to the side.
Sakho, 26, enjoyed a superb first season in East London during the 2014/15 campaign, scoring 12 goals in 26 games to become a hero under Sam Allardyce.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose in action with West Ham’s Diafra Sakho
However, the Senegal international found things a lot harder under Slaven Bilic last season. With just seven goals in 24 games, Sakho failed to reproduce his success from the first season, and his position at the club was brought into question over the summer.
Sakho had an eventful few months over the summer; Sky Sports reported in June that Sunderland – then managed by Allardyce – had made an £11m bid to sign Sakho, before reporting just a month later that Sakho had submitted a transfer request.
Diafra Sakho celebrates after scoring for West Ham
In August, The Telegraph revealed that West Brom pulled out of a £16m deal for Sakho due to fitness concerns over the striker, and he hasn’t played for West Ham this season due to a back injury.
Now expected to return to full fitness over the upcoming international break, Sakho has the chance to turn his West Ham career around after such a turbulent summer, especially given that West Ham’s attackers are struggling this season.
Diafra Sakho celebrates scoring West Ham
Incredibly, The Sun now report that West Ham have in fact told Sakho that, if he knuckles down in training and performs on the pitch, he will be rewarded with a new contract – and the ball is now in his court.
Sakho can either continue to push for a move away from the London Stadium, as he did over the summer, or decide to fight for his place under Bilic and potentially earn a bumper new contract, meaning he will be one to watch over the coming weeks and months as questions continue to be asked about his future.
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