Hammers close in on Appiah

West Ham were today hoping to sign Ghana captain Stephen Appiah from Fenerbahce before the midnight deadline.

It is understood that the Upton Park club have agreed terms with the 27-year-old midfield player and with time running out before the window closes, were hoping to agree a deal with his Turkish club, with whom Appiah has been in dispute in recent weeks.

"I am a free agent," said Appiah. "A few issues happened between me and the club so I no longer play for them."

West Ham were also hoping to sign a striker before the deadline with Uruguayan Edison Cavani, who plays for Palermo, one possibility. Henrik Larsson is another on West Ham's list but the 36-year-old, who now plays his football for Helsingborgs, has been quoted as saying that he would prefer to stay in Sweden.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley meanwhile, remained philosophical today after the continuing rumours about his future.

The 4-1 win over Blackburn means the club have made the best start to a Premier League season for nine years yet speculation persists that Croatia coach Slaven Bilic is being earmarked to succeed him.

"The board have put me under no pressure so we have just got to get on with it," he said.