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West Ham United transfer news: Mathieu Valbuena now a Hammers target after Queens Park Rangers move stalls

Frenchman nears Premier League switch despite seeking La Liga move

Samuel Stevens
Wednesday 30 July 2014 14:53 BST
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Mathieu Valbuena celebrates with Olivier Giroud
Mathieu Valbuena celebrates with Olivier Giroud (GETTY IMAGES)

West Ham United have joined London rivals Queens Park Rangers in the hunt for France star Mathieu Valbuena just days after Harry Redknapp's men looked odds on to sign him.

The 29-year-old Marseille playmaker is available for just £7m and Redknapp believed that he could lure Valbuena to Loftus Road.

The newly promoted Hoops, who won the Championship play-off final against Derby County in May, have already strengthened their squad with Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker.

According to the Daily Mirror, Redknapp was in advanced negotiations with the Ligue 1 club to sign the midfielder who made a name for himself at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Dynamo Moscow, believed to have been monitoring Valbuena for the last six months, were expected to complete a deal this week but attention from the Premier League appears to have cooled their interest.

While the player would ideally prefer a switch to La Liga, the two London clubs may offer him the only opportunity to leave Marcelo Bielsa's Marseille.

West Ham formally announced the signing of another World Cup star Enner Valencia from Pachuca on Tuesday in their fifth capture of the summer.

With Andy Carroll, their £15m record signing, ruled out for at least four months with a troublesome ankle injury, Sam Allardyce is desperate to appease the Upton Park faithful with new signings.

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