West Ham to clinch Eidur Gudjohnsen transfer

Gudjohnsen is to undergo a medical (GETTY IMAGES)

West Ham are poised to sign former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The 32-year-old Iceland international is due to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Upton Park on a free transfer after he was released by Stoke at the end of last season.

Barclays Premier League newcomers Swansea were also interested in Gudjohnsen but he is set to sign a one-year deal to link up with new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce.

Gudjohnsen first came to prominence under Allardyce at Bolton 13 years ago, where he scored 27 goals in 77 appearances before moving to Chelsea for £5million.

He came close to signing for West Ham in January last year but at the last minute decided to join Tottenham, and subsequent moves to Stoke and a loan switch to Fulham saw him fail to find the net for either club.

Nevertheless, Allardyce wants Gudjohnsen to boost a forward line shorn of Demba Ba, Robbie Keane and Victor Obinna following the Hammers' relegation and with Carlton Cole's future still uncertain.

Stoke have agreed an initial fee of around £4million for the striker but he has yet to agree personal terms.

Yet despite his likely departure, Cole came on as a substitute during West Ham's 2-1 friendly defeat by FC Basel in Switzerland last night.

Fellow England internationals Robert Green and Scott Parker did not feature as speculation continues over their destinations next season.

Green has emerged as a target for West Brom boss Roy Hodgson while the Hammers are open to the possibility of loaning Parker back to Chelsea for a year.