West Ham boss Slaven Bilic hopeful of signing Alex Song from Barcelona
Slaven Bilic insists West Ham have not given up on completing a permanent deal for Barcelona midfielder Alex Song.
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.
Song spent last season on loan at Upton Park, and Barcelona are ready to let him return on a free transfer - but new West Ham boss Bilic admitted talks are ongoing with the 27-year-old.
"We are in contact but it's not for the media yet," he said.
West Ham will face Romanian outfit Astra Giurgiu at Upton Park tonight as their marathon pre-season continues apace.
Hammers manager Bilic again admitted frustration with the packed schedule brought about by an unexpected Europa League qualification bid.
West Ham have been linked with a £12million bid for Fenerbahce striker Moussa Sow, and Bilic admitted the club are still in the market for two more recruits before the start of the new Premier League season.
"We are not panicking, we are good: if we can find a player, or maximum two, who are going to make us better then we definitely want to do it," he said. "We have to like the player, and the player has to be free, or payable and a good investment for the club."
Meanwhile, Scottish side Aberdeen face a tricky Europa League tie in Kazakhstan against Kairat Almaty today (live Setanta Ireland, KO 3.45).