Nancy star takes Curbs' fancy

Alan Curbishley is reportedly weighing up a move to take Nancy's Moroccan full-back Michael Chretien Basser to West Ham this summer.

The Hammers boss has recently snapped up versatile Swiss star Valon Behrami, who can play in a right-back role, while Lucas Neill also remains at Upton Park. However with John Pantsil departing for Fulham, it is thought he would like to sign Chretien to add to the competition in his defence.

The 24-year-old, who has made 187 French League 1 appearances and scored nine goals in six years at Nancy, is already attracting interest from a number of clubs, including Manchester City, Sevilla and Real Betis, after declaring a wish to leave.

He said: "My agent is in discussions with Betis, but I am aware of an English club keen to acquire me. I don't want to be at Nancy next season, as I've done enough there. I want to test myself in a top European league."

Therefore Curbishley will need to act quickly if he would like to take Chretien to the Hammers and the player could cost in the region of £3.5million given that his current Nancy deal does not expire until summer 2010.