Hammers in for Soma windfall?

West Ham could be in for an unexpected windfall ahead of the start of the 2003/04 season, thanks to former defender Ragnvald Soma.

Soma - who returned to Norway after his short and unsuccessful spell at Upton Park - is, according to the Norwegian press, about to move on yet again from FC Bryne.

And according to one Norwegian paper (Stavanger Aftenblad) the Hammers are set to receive a whopping 40% of any potential transfer fee thanks to a sell-on clause included as part of his £800,000 transfer, which took place last year.

It seemed likely that the young full-back would move to fellow Norwegians Viking, after the two clubs appeared to agree a fee last week. However a series of hold-ups - one of which was, according to reports, initiated by the Hammers' sell-on clause - was eventually scuppered by Soma himself when he said that he would prefer a move abroad.

Since then the lanky defender has been watched by the likes of Borussia Mönchengladbach, plus a string of Belgian clubs.

Speculation suggests that a fee in the region of £1-2m will be enough to prise Soma away from Bryne - which would represent a tidy little sum for the Hammers.

Ragnvald Soma - Hammers fact file

Joined West Ham on 17th January 2001 - £800,000 (Bryne)

Made just 4 full appearances (plus 5 substitute appearances)

Re-signed for Bryne 2nd August 2002 - £800,000 + 40% sell-on fee