West Ham closing in on Chamakh

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is edging closer to signing Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh, while looking to sell James Collins to push the deal through.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is still hopeful of signing Collins but the Hammers are also waiting to see if Aston Villa are willing to bid for the 25-year-old centre-back.

The money for Collins would be used for Morocco international Chamakh, who is needed to support Carlton Cole as Zola’s only senior striker.

Chamakh wants to leave his French club and was on the radar of Arsenal but Arsene Wenger felt his price was too expensive for a player whose contract is running out.

The 25-year-old Moroccon striker was in good touch last season making 34 appearances and netting 13 goals in the process as Bordeaux lifted the Ligue 1 title, ending Lyon’s seven consecutive title winning streak.