Alex Song: West Ham agree deal to sign Barcelona midfielder

Sullivan added: “On his pre-Christmas form he was possibly the best player we’ve ever signed”.

We just hope the medical shows [Song] is in a sufficient state for us to gamble.

Additionally, it also gives them a more experienced defensive midfielder than youngster Reece Oxford, who, despite his impressive displays so far and obvious bright future, is not an ideal solution for the role long term.

This will be the first league meeting between West Ham and Bournemouth since April 1990 and only their third overall in league competition.

He said on the KUMB (Knees Up Mother Brown) podcast: “Firstly, we haven’t got £15million to spend under the Fair Play rules”. In his last three matches versus Bournemouth, the keeper has conceded 16 goals – half of those coming in an 8-0 hammering for Birmingham last October. Sakho is said to be unhappy with his recent omission from the starting team, but Liverpool will not consider any offers. But it’s not one-sixth of our budget, it would smash our budget to bits.

Bilic is short of options up front as Mauro Zarate has suffered a hamstring injury, joining Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll in the treatment room.

Sullivan hit back via his son Jack’s Twitter account on Thursday, writing: “I’m sorry that Mr Austin has taken my comments out of context”.

In a statement Austin said: “For the record, there is nothing wrong with my ligaments, as has been suggested”.

While Bournemouth have lost their first two matches, one of the positives they can take from their start of the season is that their star from last season, Matt Ritchie, has not looked out of his depth at Premier League level.

“Like many professional footballers, I have the legacy of injuries picked up over my career but the effect on my day-to-day training and on matchday is non-existent”.

But the east London side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at home to Leicester last weekend, a game in which goalkeeper Adrian was sent off for his challenge on Jamie Vardy as the Spaniard went forwards for a corner in stoppage time.