West Ham close to swoop for Mexico star Barrera

West Ham manager Avram Grant revealed on Thursday that he is close to completing a swoop for Mexico winger Pablo Barrera.

Barrera, who represented his country at the World Cup, will cost the English Premier League club around four million pounds to sign from his current team – Mexican outfit UNAM Pumas – and is reported to be ready to agree a four-year contract.

Grant is confident the 23-year-old will prove a valuable addition to his squad.

“He is more of a winger and he can play on either side,” Grant told Sky Sports News.

“He is a very good player and is good for the vision of the club. We are trying to bring in players of a good age and develop them. He’s a good player.”

Grant has so far signed only German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger since taking charge at Upton Park, but the former Portsmouth boss hopes to seal further deals, with Nice striker Loic Remy and Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on his wanted list.

“We are trying to bring in a few more players that can improve the team, improve the squad,” Grant said.

“Our target is to make signings this week, but we cannot talk about them until they are done. In football anything can happen until the last moment.”