Board’s quick move for Sakho after Wickham “no”
But then Irons board moved quickly to resurrect a deal that looked dead after Sunderland refused to allow Connor Wickham to move to Upton Park.
The Irons looked to have missed out on Sakho when the terms of a permanent deal were changed to a loan spell.
Pressure from his club Metz – and Sunderland’s refusal to let Wickham move – saw the Hammers board move very fast going back in to clinch a cut price deal for a player who looks like becoming a big Upton Park favouritel.
And a well placed source told ClaretandHugh exclusively: “The deal had a lot to do with the board’s decision quick thinking.
“Wickham was strongly fancied by the managerial team but the board were ready to gamble on Sakho.
“They were always keen and once the Wickham thing founded they quickly went back in for him.
“It looks as though it could be a great deal as he cost just £2.5 million as opposed to £8 million for Wickham and his wages were about half of what the Sunderland triker would have cost.”