West Ham miss out after World Cup Klose show

West Ham have revealed that they were to sign Miroslav Klose, but his excellent performances in the World Cup have now made a deal unlikely.

The Hammers, who will officially unveil new manager Avram Grant before to the media at Upton Park today, are also looking less and less likely to sign the former Portsmouth loanee Frédéric Piquionne from French club Lyons.

West Ham's co-owner David Sullivan has admitted that a deal to land Klose is unlikely to go through following the striker's star performances in South Africa. Klose, 32, has scored four goals for Germany as they reached the semi-finals of the competition.

Klose's club, Bayern Munich, were all set to let the striker quit on a free transfer after he scored just six goals in 38 appearances for the Bundesliga side last term. But Klose's form in South Africa has left him just one goal short of Brazilian Ronaldo in the all-time World Cup scoring charts and as a result of his form, he may now look to move elsewhere in Europe.

"We had a deal in place before the World Cup, after he had a bad season in Germany. However, as a result of what he has done at the World Cup, it's unlikely to happen," Sullivan said.

Piquionne enjoyed a successful loan period with Portsmouth under Grant last season. Newly promoted West Bromwich Albion have since shown an interest in signing the striker but it is understood the player would rather team-up with Grant again at Upton Park.

A £1m deal to land Piquionne appeared to have been a completed yesterday but the move was thwarted by differing views within Lyons. It is understood club president Jean-Michel Aulas is happy to cash-in on the striker but coach Claude Puel wants to hang on Piquionne, who helped Portsmouth reach the FA Cup final last season.

The Hammers have also played down suggestions that former Birmingham and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, now with Real Zaragoza in Spain, might be bound for Upton Park.

The other West Ham co-owner, David Sullivan, has insisted that he wants to retain the services of Robert Green despite the goalkeeper's World Cup howler.

The 30-year-old, whose horrendous error gifted the United States an equaliser as England drew the opening game of their woeful campaign in South Africa, has been linked with a move away from Upton Park after becoming frustrated at not being offered a new contract.

But Sullivan insists he is keen for Green, who has two years left on his current deal, to stay and will look to open talks over a new deal in January.

"All the players with two years to go – and he would fit in with everyone else – we will look at them in January, when there are 18 months to go," Sullivan said. "I hope Robert does have a long-term future at West Ham. You judge any player over a season, not one incident in one match."