West Ham are likely to seal a deal with Alex Song at the end of the transfer window rather than wait until next January to sign the midfielder.

Song is currently recovering from an operation and should be fit to return by end of October the latest although the club is careful to claim that it could be before that declaring: “We are talking UP to three months.”

The player has had surgery to sort out the problems caused by a floating bone in his ankle.

And although the Irons negotiators have spoken to agents about the possibility of signing out of contract former Leicester City midfielder Esteban Cambiasso on a short term deal as cover, it’s now more likely that a Song swoop will take place at the end of this window.

Barcelona want the 27 year old off the wage bill and are ready to allow the player a free transfer but the Hammers want him to sign a one year deal so they can take a good look at his fitness over next season.

ClaretandHugh was told exclusively: “Obviously Alex would prefer a three year deal but a a year will be offered with clauses giving him the opportunity to sign for another two years when he has proved himself fully recovered and that we remain as a Premier League force.

“The club has no doubt that will be the case but when you are signing contracts you have to cover all the bases. He will almost certainly be available by the end of October so we wouldn’t want to lose November and December”