West Ham go for £10m Anelka as Gudjohnsen deal stalls

West Ham United have rekindled their interest in Nicolas Anelka and are preparing to submit a bid of around £10m for the Bolton Wanderers striker.

The Hammers have turned to Anelka despite having an offer of ¿10m (£6.8m) accepted by Barcelona for their No 1 target, Eidur Gudjohnsen. However, despite also agreeing to match the Icelandic striker's £80,000-a-week wages at Barca there is no indication, as yet, that he wants to move to Upton Park and it is a deal that may have to wait until January.

West Ham first inquired about Anelka last month, as revealed by The Independent, but, at that time, decided against a bid. They also considered a move for Middlesbrough's Aiyegbeni Yakubu but believe he is worth half the £11m being demanded. Instead Yakubu, who is not expected to feature for Boro today against Fulham following the signing of Mido, is expected to move to Everton.

Portsmouth remain interested in Anelka. However, they will not be able to meet the salary that will be offered by West Ham who, again, will pay up to £80,000-a-week.

If Anelka is signed it will take West Ham's spending to almost £40m this summer although the club has also recouped £21m in sales. West Ham would also be the 28-year-old's eighth major club and his fifth in English football.