West Ham are likely to move for Algerian international Islam Slimani - if a move to sign Ecuador international Enner Valencia fails to bear fruit.

Slimani, who has been linked with West Ham since the end of the last transfer window is understood to be the club's second choice behind Valencia, who like Slimani has won plenty of approval for his performances in Brazil 2014. Sporting are reported to have slapped an EUR8million price tag on the 26-year-old Algerian who the Hammers had hoped to land on loan back in January.We reported yesterday how West Ham had made enquiries into the availability of Valencia , CF Pachua's 24-year-old centre forward who scored three goals in the World Cup Finals despite his country failing to qualify for the knockout stage.* Bayern Munich's Italian defender Diego Contento is reported to have been the subject of an enquiry by West Ham. Considered surplus to requirements having failed to nail down a first team spot under Pep Guardiola, the 24-year-old has also been linked with West Bromwich Albion.* Ravel Morrison is due to return to West Ham this Thursday when the first team squad reconvene for pre-season. The attacking midfielder, on loan at Queens Park Rangers since January has signalled his desire to win his place back in Sam Allardyce's first XI despite rumoured interest from a number of parties, including Harry Redknapp's Rangers.* West Ham are rumoured to be one of a number of clubs taking a close look at Dynamo Kiev's Andriy Yarmolenko - however with a rumoured transfer fee of ?12-15million (Daily Star) United's chances of landing a player also sought by Liverpool and Chelsea, both of whom can offer Champions League football, appear slim at best.* Italian sources (Il Giallo Rosso) are running with a story suggesting Milan's Antonio Nocerino may be set to return to the Boleyn Ground on a permanent basis, despite previous reports claiming that he was about to complete a (permanent) move to Torino. KUMB suspects this may be someone taking what is known as a flyer, given Noce's frosty demeanour when leaving the BG for the final time back in May.midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, a regular in the French World Cup squad that reached the quarter finals courtesy of a 2-0 win over Nigeria on Monday is being linked with an ?8million move to east London (Mail). Currently with Ligue 1 side Marseille, Valbuena has also been linked with Arsenal (quelle surprise) and Liverpool in recent weeks after his agent revealed that he would consider a move to the Premier League.* Even more spurious than the Nocerino link is a rumour emanating from Portuguese media claiming that West Ham are showing an interest in signing Sporting's Argentine defender Marcos Rojo. The 24-year-old has featured regularly for his country at the World Cup Finals and is valued at the ?20million mark. Russian side Zenit previously failed with a ?15million bid for the 6'1 1/2 " centre half.* It's debatable whether West Ham were ever seriously interested but Belgian striker Divock Origi is on the verge of completing a move to Liverpool. At just 19 the Lille forward is poised to make a ?10million move to Anfield, apparently snubbing the likes of West Ham and Tottenham.* Jefferson Montero, whom it was recently claimed was on the verge of signing for West Ham has spoken of his desire to try his luck in Europe. "It's certain that I'll leave the league," said the Mexican-based Ecuadorian international. "I already have an offer and I can tell you that it won't be Mexico; it will be Europe and I hope it works out." Five years after making a EUR5million bid , Italian sources insist West Ham are taking a second look at Napoli's Macedonian international Goran Pandev. The 30-year-old striker has also been linked with Tottenham and Monaco. Franco Zola was thought to be close to landing the player in 2009 but missed out.* West Ham's ongoing link with Leeds striker Ross McCormack finally looks close to reaching its inevitable conclusion with the news that recently-relegated Fulham have offered ?7million for the Scottish international. Leeds are said to be holding out for ?10million, for a player who at 28 has never played in the Premier League. West Ham are unlikely to challenge the Cottagers.* A number of Twitter feeds are linking West Ham with a move for the US World Cup star Omar Gonzalez - although claims that the story originated in the Telegraph appear to be wide of the mark.