Shanghai surprise?

West Ham are once again being linked with a move for former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka.

The ex-French international has been playing for Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua but is now a free agent having terminated his contract with the club following a disagreement over his salary.

Unsurprisingly perhaps some sections of the media have claimed that West Ham are now keen to land a player with whom they have been linked with on at least three occasions previously - in 2007, 2011 and then again earlier this year.

Anelka, who has spent 12 years of his career playing in the Premier League previously worked with current West Ham manager Sam Allardyce when the pair were at Bolton together. Allardyce pulled off a major coup to sign the 33-year-old from Fenerbahce for around £8m.

At least one source has claimed this morning that Anelka has held preliminary discussions with representatives of West Ham with view to a permanent contract. The player formally known as 'Le Sulk' is thought to have been earning around £50,000-per-week in China.