Hammers given Cisse hope

Arsenal new boy Samir Nasri has confirmed that reported West Ham target Djibril Cisse wants a return to the Premier League.

Nasri recently completed his move to the Gunners from Marseille and has now admitted that his former team-mate in France, Cisse, is also looking to get back to England ahead of the new Premier League campaign in three weeks' time.

Nasri said: "He is my friend but it isn't up to me to influence his decision.

"But what I know is that he has a lot of ties in England, he would love to return there and he is a player who is made for the English league.

"It clearly depends on the standard of club that comes in for him."

Cisse has experience of playing in England following a spell at Liverpool between 2004 and 2007. However, following a loan spell with Marseille in the 2006-07 campaign, the France international made the switch permanent 12 months' ago.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has been linked to Cisse in the past and may step up his efforts to sign him if current forward Craig Bellamy departs and he also misses out on wantaway Everton frontman Andrew Johnson.