West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic is confident Alex Song will pass a medical and join the Hammers from Barcelona after impressing on loan last season.

The former Arsenal midfielder impressed during a year-long loan stay at Upton Park and Hammers co-owner David Sullivan yesterday revealed a deal was in place to bring him back on a permanent basis, subject to medical.

Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday's game at home to AFC Bournemouth, Bilic said: “You have seen the chairman's statement on Alex Song, and we've agreed the terms. Now it's subject to the medical.

“We are really confident that he will pass that and everyone agrees, football people across the country, that he was brilliant last year.

“If we can get him playing like that across the whole season he could be crucial.”

The 27-year-old Cameroonian midfielder spent last season on loan at Upton Park 31 appearances in all compeititions.

It is no secret West Ham would like the former Arsenal midfielder to return to Upton Park but a floating bone in his ankle has put a question mark against any possible deal.