Premiership: Di Canio - West Ham are forcing me out

Paolo di Canio claims West Ham are "desperate" to force him out of Upton Park to fund fresh transfer raids.

The Italian striker's proposed €5.7m transfer to Manchester United appeared to collapse on Wednesday.

And his comments will alert a host of Premiership clubs to his unwanted status at Upton Park.

Di Canio said: "I know West Ham desperately want to sell me. They desperately want me to leave the club.

"I have never asked to leave, but they want to sell me to bring money into the club, maybe to buy other players.

"The situation is clear. I do not want to go as I want to play here. It's not my problem as I signed a contract a few years ago and have always said I wanted to stay.

"This is not my problem - this is West Ham's problem. I do not have to say anything and it's not really in my hands, so I can relax."