Rumour Mill-Hammers Enter Battle for Fletcher

Clarets striker, Steven Fletcher seems to be in demand at the moment with West Ham now also reported to be interested in signing the 23 year old Scotland international along with Wolves, Birmingham and Bolton.

West Ham are currently managerless after sacking boss Gianfranco Zola on 11th May. It is highly expected though that Avram Grant will take over at Upton Park following his resignation yesterday from relegated and debt-ridden club, Portsmouth.

The theory goes that a manager would not resign unless he had another job lined up and the bookies favourite for that new job appears to be at West Ham.

The east London club said in a statement on Friday: 'We are making good progress in the search for a new manager and the appointment will be made by early June'

An article in the Mirror today (no not by Alan Nixon!) suggests West Ham are likely to make an official move for Steven Fletcher once Avram Grant is appointed as their new manager.

Rather disturbing for Clarets fans is a mention in the article that Fletcher has told pals he would jump at a move to London. This would appear to go against his recent statements that he would like to stay at Turf Moor and help the Clarets try and regain promotion to the Premier League at their first attempt next season.

Burnley have made it plain they do not have any need to sell players in the summer and have indicated they rate Fletcher to be worth £7 million.

Yesterday it was reported that Birmingham were considering a £6 million move for the player but it now looks like Alex McLeish is now preparing to table a £2m bid for Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd. This could still go ahead whether the Bluebirds beat Blackpool in the Championship Play-Offs Final at Wembley or not this Saturday. It is not clear if Bothroyd is instead of or extra to the Blues interest in Fletcher so we shall have to see how things develop.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.