West Ham get Maiga

After being rebuffed in their chase for Norwich's indecisive Grant Holt and only dipping their toes in the water for the race to sign Liverpool's Andy Carroll, West Ham are about to conclude their search for a new striker by getting their hands on Mabido Maiga of Sochaux.

Sky Sports understands that Sam Allardyce's West Ham are leaping to the front of the queue for Maiga with a £4 million deal which is expected to be completed next week.

The Malian striker saw a move to Newcastle collapse last season whilst Stoke have also been linked, but it looks like the Hammers may have more luck as they attempt to charm the 24 year old with their advances.

Maiga, who can also play as a winger, has hit 24 goals over the past two seasons for Sochaux and it looks like the knee injury that put pay to the projected Newcastle move, won't stop the eager Hammers making him their latest summer acquisition.

In a blitz of activity at Upton Park, the negotiators won't stop there either as the Express say that the Hammers will ask to take Inter Milan's Luc Castaignos on a loan deal, but they will have to hold off the rumoured interest from Fulham and Everton.

19 year old Castaignos is highly rated in Europe following his 15 goal haul for Feyenoord upon breaking through, plus his record breaking scoring exploits for the Dutch under-17 national team.

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