West Ham hopeful on permanent Song deal

Slaven Bilic has backed new recruit Dimitri Payet to “make every player better than they actually are” at West Ham.

The 31-year-old Welshman was speaking at a pre-match press conference – which was reported by the club’s official website – ahead of West Ham’s Europa League third qualifying round clash against FC Astra on Thursday night.

“He’s the kind of player I thought we really needed”. Not only him but all the guys but you ask about him.

Former Arsenal star Song will miss three months with ankle trouble, leaving the ex-Cameroon midfielder haggling with the Hammers over the length of a permanent contract.

The Cameroonian spent last season on loan at Upton Park, but has since returned to Barcelona, where he faces an extremely uncertain future.

“Last year they knocked out Lyon so it’s going to be a good test for us”.

West Ham have been linked with a £12m bid for Fenerbahce striker Moussa Sow, and reports from Get Football News France have revealed on Wednesday that the club have reached an agreement in principle with Caen midfielder Ngolo Kanté over a transfer.

West Ham United players need to keep their cool in the Europa League, according to defender James Collins.

“So we will have to risk one way or another”.

“We have to like the player. I’m happy with my squad, the transfer window is still very open and there’s a possibility some players will come and some will go”. We have to be streetwise, deal with that and let our football do the talking.

“I have done it with big help from the chairman and the board and the scouts and my staff”.

“We just have to cope with the situation and that’s it – no excuses”, said Croatian Bilic, who replaced Sam Allardyce as boss in the summer.

He added: “We are not trying to get many [players]”.