Report: West Ham's Sakho to get Rennes request

Diafra Sakho's enduring desire to join Rennes is one step closer to fruition after reports surfaced Sunday in France alleging the wantaway West Ham forward was set for a medical with Les Rouges et Noirs.

France Football reports the Senegalese striker is in Brittany ahead of a return to Ligue 1, adding that Sakho's switch will be a six-month loan with a club-option to buy the player in the summer.

Sakho, 28, famously tried to force a move to Rennes during the last transfer window when he flew to France without West Ham's permission and reportedly met with club officials. Alas, it wasn't to be, and instead of rejoining his Hammers brethren for training, Sakho popped up at Chelmsford City Racecourse to watch agent Mark McKay's "Siege of Boston" finish first. Sakho even pocketed £550 for his troubles, but the writing was on the wall, and after the player was linked with a move to Crystal Palace, a January exit became a near certainty.

For Rennes, luring Sakho to the Roazhan Park is a move that makes plenty of sense. Sitting eighth in Ligue 1 amid a logjam of teams, Rennes has just 28 goals in 23 league outings and a minus-four goal differential, third-worst in the top half. For West Ham, Sakho's exit makes less sense with Andy Carroll facing a protracted recovery from foot surgery and Michail Antonio out with a calf concern, highlighting a dearth of attacking options for David Moyes.

Sakho is no stranger to injury either, missing time this season with a back ailment after the former Metz man previously failed a medical with West Brom that scuppered a move to the Hawthorns last summer.