West Ham United are apparently battling it out with Premiership rivals Manchester City for France striker Djibril Cisse as race for the striker reinforcement heats up while Hammers front-man Craig Bellamy is linked with a move to the Eastlands club.

Cisse, who moved to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille last summer permanently after a career with Liverpool, is now said to be keen to return to England with several clubs reportedly keeping an eye on his situation.

And with City boss Mark Hughes looking to bolster his attacking options Wales ace Bellamy (left) is linked with a reunion with his former boss, if the former Blackburn boss fails to lure Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz, who is also interesting Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.

The Hammers, who are also said to be interested in Everton’s unsettled striker Andrew Johnson, have been linked with Cisse for some time now, and could be ready to move for the 26-year-old if they miss out on the Toffees man coupled with the departure of Bellamy.