West Ham set to seal double swoop for Benni McCarthy and Benjani

Target: Benni McCarthyWest Ham United are closing in on deals for Benni McCarthy and Benjani.The east London club are hopeful of completing the £2.5million signing of McCarthy from Blackburn Rovers time for Tuesday's clash against Portsmouth, though there are still a few barriers to overcome.But they will probably have to wait on Benjani until after Manchester City's Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester United on Wednesday.McCarthy is desperate to play regular first-team football in the run up to the World Cup finals in his native South Africa.The 32-year-old is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year deal at Upton Park, with Rovers using the fee to fund a bid for Stoke City's James Beattie.Benjani, 31, is also high on the wish list of attacking reinforcements drawn up when David Sullivan and David Gold bought the club last week.The Zimbabwe international has impressed new boss Roberto Mancini in recent weeks, but could be allowed to leave following Emmanuel Adebayor's return to training with City on Monday. Hammers bound? Manchester City hitman BenjaniHowever, the imminent departure of Robinho is forcing City to consider whether they can afford to let another striker go.TheHammers decided not to offer a deal to Sergey Kornilneko, despite theZenit St Petersburg striker impressing on a week-long trial.Sources close to the 26-year-old indicate that he was told West Ham were looking for more high-profile strikers.The Barclays Premier League strugglers are also in talks with Argentine striker Juan Carlos Menseguez and are keen on Monaco's Eidur Gudjohnsen.The 26-year-old, who plays for San Lorenzo, had a loan spell at West Bromwich Albion last season. West Ham defender Davenport pleads not guilty to butting pregnant sister West Ham, Wigan and Stoke on alert as Lens striker Maoulida hints at move WEST HAM UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail