According to an interview he did with Senegalese media outlet Sen360FR, via Football.London, West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has refused to rule out leaving the club this summer.

When asked if he would be staying with the Irons next season, he said: “I do not know for the moment. I am on holiday and not taking care of certain things.”

The 27-year-old also admitted that he was happy to fill in at right-back while the Hammers were going through something of a defensive crisis at stages last term, but that he didn’t appreciate being kept there for a third successive match by manager Slaven Bilic when the players in question had returned to full fitness.

The Senegal international added: “Initially, I was reluctant to complain when he told me it was just for a game. It was just after the African Cup. But after the third match, there was a defender available. Nevertheless, Bilic played me there me again.”

West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the quotes from the midfielder via social media, and they were understandably concerned that he could be on his way out and would begin to lose the faith in the club and Bilic if he was to be sold.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

But it seems not everyone would be so disappointed...