One over the eight

West Ham United are poised to make their ninth signing of the summer with the arrival of Togo winger Razak Boukari.

The 25-year-old, who holds dual nationality is reported to be on the cusp of signing a permanent contract with West Ham having suitably impressed during a recent trial.

Boukari, who is currently contracted to French club Rennes is understood to have featured in the under 21s' win over Reading on Friday evening, a game the Hammers won 3-1 and one in which the triallist scored.

Born in Lome in 1987, the right-sided player - whose father also represented his country - has lived in France for the past ten years having initially joined Châteauroux as a 15-year-old in 2002.

After two years as a professional with La Berri, he moved to Lens in 2006 for whom he played for the next four years. In 2010, Rennes snapped Boukari up for €4.5million with the winger signing a five-year contract.

Having suffered a thigh injury in January this year he was unable to regain his place in the Rennes first team, having been replaced by Burkina Faso international Jonathan Pitroipa - and the financially-troubled Rennes have reluctantly allowed him to look for a new club.

Boukari, whose arrival should signal the end of West Ham's ongoing interest in Wolves winger Matt Jarvis is understood to have undergone a medical earlier today, with an announcement imminent according to tonight's Evening Standard.


Pre-season signings: the eight so far

May
21st: Stephen Henderson (Portsmouth, nominal fee)

June
14th: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton, nominal fee)
20th: Momo Diame (Wigan, free transfer)

July
1st: George McCartney (Sunderland, nominal fee)
18th: Modibo Maiga (Sochaux, £4.5million)
23rd: Raphael Spiegler (Grasshoppers, nominal fee)

August
1st: James Collins (Aston Villa, £2million)
10th: Alou Diarra (Marseille, £2million)