Last Updated: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:22
West Ham are reportedly still keen on signing FC Porto's South African striker Benni McCarthy with a new summer swoop on the cards.
Hammers boss Alan Pardew has been chasing the 28-year-old striker since last summer when he wanted the player to spearhead his side's attack on their return to the Premiership.
After seeing off the challenge of Blackburn Rovers and having a £4.4million bid accepted, Pardew looked set to complete a swoop just before the August 31 transfer deadline only for the Portuguese outfit to up their demands once again at the final moment to leave West Ham and the player frustrated.
Pardew has since splashed out a club record £7.25million on Norwich hitman Dean Ashton and signed Israeli forward Yaniv Katan in January, while Marlon Harewood, Bobby Zamora and Teddy Sheringham have all been in good form as the Hammers chase a European place for next season.
However fresh reports claim Pardew was in Portugal watching McCarthy in action for Porto against Benfica on Sunday evening and could try and boost his strikeforce even further with a fresh move at the end of the season.