West Ham ready to sell Cheikhou Kouyate

West Ham United could be close to selling their first big name player of the summer. Multiple reports say that Senegal Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is on his way out of East London.

The Guardian reports that his destination may be a few miles down the road at Crystal Palace. While the Daily Mirror report that West Ham would prefer to sell the hard charging midfielder to Porto.

Kouyate joined West Ham under Sam Allardyce in 2014 for around £8 million. He’s made 147 appearances and scored 15 goals for the Hammers. Including the first ever goal in the London Stadium against Juventus in a pre-season friendly.

Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Since the arrival of Slaven Bilic Kouyate has played in the midfield, center back, and even right back. The constant shuffle has seemed to take a toll on him.

Kouyate has been criticized for his play the past few seasons mostly for his erratic passing. Some thought that new manager Manuel Pellegrinni could revitalize his career as a sort of Yaya Toure light, but it appears the manager is ready to move on.

With Mark Noble, Jack Wilshere, and Declan Rice all impressing in the central midfield this summer Kouyate was looking at being a bench player this season.

Kouyate is rumored to be on the move for around £10 million pounds so the Hammers will have made a bit of money on him.

He has been a great servant for the club and has persevered for two difficult seasons. Personally, I hate to see him go but with a number of good players in midfield he has become expendable.

Best of luck to Cheikhou in his next chapter wherever that might be.