Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham poised to land Viduka as Aussie striker eyes World Cup dream
Former Leeds United and Middlesbrough ace Mark Viduka is set for a shock move to West Ham.
While the transfer window is closed until January, the Australia international is a free agent after being released by Newcastle United at the end of last season and could sign for the Hammers.
The striker, who has been on holiday in Greece, was linked with Portsmouth and Fulham.
Gianfranco Zola still needs more cover up front and the experienced Viduka would fit the bill while the player needs to find a club if he is to lead Australia at the 2010 World Cup finals.
The Hammers admitted after Tuesday's deadline day that they have been tracking an unnamed free agent for the past month with a view to making a move.
'Gianluca Nani (technical director) and Gianfranco Zola are now discussing the possibility of an out of contract striker joining the club who has been tracked in the past month,' a statement on the club's official website read.
Viduka's injuries during the last two seasons at Newcastle have seen him become a marginalised figure with the Socceroos. Pim Verbeek, the Australia coach, said: 'I think the only motivation for him to start playing football again is to go to the World Cup, so that's good for us.
'The door is open for him - not because he's Mark Viduka, but because he is a good football player - and he has 10 months to show me that he is good enough to be a part of the selection for South Africa.'
