Hammers join Premier League pair in chase for French forward

The Lens striker Toifilou Maoulida could join the Upton Park revolution after hinting he could be on the verge of leaving the French side. The 30-year-old, who has also been linked with Stoke and Wigan, has been confined to the substitutes' bench for most of the campaign. "I'm waiting to see," he said. "If an English club give me this opportunity, then why not? The English league has always interested me. It's 50/50 at the moment."

Rasmussen excited by 'dream move' as £1.8m Bhoys switch nears completion

Brondby striker Thomas Rasmussen is expected to complete a "dream" move to Celtic today, with the Scottish side understood to have agreed a fee of around £1.8m for the midfielder. The 24-year-old Denmark international, who has been in Thailand on duty with a Danish league select team, is keen to agree personal terms with the Glasgow club. "This is a dream I have had for a long time," the versatile player, who can play at left-back or left-wing, said. "It is a step up for me, if it becomes a reality. I expect a clarification on Monday. I have not negotiated personal things, but if the other things go in order, then I guess this will. And I would really want it to go in order."

Long shots

Fulham may step in with a loan move for Stoke striker James Beattie after a proposed move to Wolves hit complications. Blackburn forward Jason Roberts could make an emotional return to Wigan, while the veteran Latics goalkeeper Mike Pollitt is interesting Aston Villa. Manchester United are lining up Giorgio Chiellini as a replacement for the Real Madrid-bound Nemanja Vidic. A hold-up in the move for Portsmouth's Mike Williamson could force Newcastle to turn their attentions to Birmingham centre-back Martin Taylor. Chelsea are readying a £5m bid for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson, while the Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, will turn his attentions to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after missing out on his Dutch colleague Ruud van Nistelrooy. Redknapp could also offer out-of-sorts striker Robbie Keane in a bid to prise Carlton Cole from West Ham United.