West Ham United’s search for a new left-back will need to continue after Davide Santon failed a medical with the London club, according to Sky Sports.

The Italy international was being tipped to join Slaven Bilic’s men on an initial 12-month loan stint, with talk of a £5 million transfer next summer if the defender was a success.

However, the latest report suggests that the Hammers have given up on Santon after the former Newcastle United full-back failed a medical test upon his return to England.

The Hammers are desperate to sign a new left-back after Aaron Cresswell suffered a cruciate knee injury in pre-season that will keep him out of action for a number of months.

Attempts to land a number of other players in the position, including Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs and Norwich City’s Martin Olsson, are said to have been unsuccessful.

Bilic has no obvious replacement for Cresswell in his current squad.

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