West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has responded to claims his club wanted to sign Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi last month.

The Belgian eventually sealed a loan deal with Crystal Palace, who are the Hammers' opponents this weekend.

"We were linked not only with him but with another 35 or 36 players! He was one name linked with West Ham and I have nothing more to say," said Pellegrini.

"Palace have a lot of good attacking players and a good squad, so if they have brought him to the squad, it is because they think they need him and he will add to that squad."