West Ham close in on Chamakh by offering 50 per cent sell-on clause

13 August 2009 17:08
West Ham United have upped their pursuit of striker Marouane Chamakh by offering Bordeaux half of any future transfer fee. The east London club are waiting to hear back from the French champions after bidding an initial £4.3million for the Morocco international. Bordeaux have already rejected £6m from Arsenal but the 50 per cent sell-on clause is intriguing given that the Gunners have withdrawn from the chase and will instead try to sign him on a free transfer next summer. The 25-year-old has made it clear he will not extend his Bordeaux contract, which expires next summer, and his suitors have all refused to meet the club's £15m valuation. An alternative offer on the table comes from Fulham, who will hand over 28-year-old Diomansy Kamara in a straight swap. But West Ham's bid is more attractive and respected French newspaper L'Equipe suggests Chamakh could visit Upton Park early next week. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola wants to sign two strikers before the window closes and has Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen and Bayern Munich's Luca Toni as alternatives. 'We're looking for at least two strikers, that's the idea,' said the Italian. 'It is not an easy market, but I think West Ham right now is an attractive team and I'm sure I will find the right person.' Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur showed interest earlier this summer, but have since signed alternative strikers.

Source: Daily_Mail