West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan said on Thursday that his club have a deal in place to make Alex Song’s loan-deal permanent if the Cameroonian midfielder proves his fitness and passes a medical.

The 27-year-old was loaned from La Liga giants Barcelona to West Ham and made 31 appearances with the Hammers last season but a persistent ankle injury raised questions over his future at Upton Park.

 "We have a deal in place with Alex Song, subject to a medical, and, if the medical is okay, we'll take him," Sullivan was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Thursday.

"He's a player we all admire and we just hope that the medical shows he's in a sufficient state for us to gamble,” Sullivan added.

Sullivan heaped praise on the international midfielder given his excellent performance with the Club team in the first-half of the season.

Song produced a string of strong displays with the team before his form faded like that of the team in the second part of the season.

"On his pre-Christmas form he was possibly the best player we've ever signed," Sullivan said.

"But after Christmas he was just another player. Maybe there are reasons for that and maybe we'll see the true Alex Song, and maybe he'll make a huge contribution this year."

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