Last Updated: Fri, 02 May 2008 10:14
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is lining up a bid for Blackburn's Benni McCarthy if he loses Dean Ashton to Newcastle in the summer.
As the end of season approaches and the transfer window is set to open, speculation continues to grow about who is going where in the summer.
Newcastle have been strongly linked with a move for Ashton, although West Ham would be very reluctant to allow him to move on without a fight, but the Hammers are said to be lining up McCarthy as a replacement.
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is likely to be as keen to keep the South African as Curbishley is to keep Ashton, but McCarthy does appear to have fallen down the pecking order at Ewood Park and an offer of £5m may be enough for them to consider.
McCarthy only recently signed a new long-term deal at Ewood Park.