Two English clubs go head-to-head for Osaze

West Ham and Sunderland are set to go head-to-head in the race to sign West Brom’s Osaze Odemwingie.

Odemwingie has impressed during his two years at The Hawthorns, cementing his position as the club’s main striker with 26 Premier League goals.

Odemwingie was the subject of a bid from Qatari club Al-Gharrafa earlier this summer, which was rejected by the Premier League club.

The Baggies are adamant that their valuation of the player will be met before he is allowed to depart.

West Ham have been tracking Odemwingie for most of the summer and he has now emerged as a leading candidate after their deal for Liverpool's Andy Carroll hit the buffers.

Manager Sam Allardyce is keen to recruit a proven Premier League striker who can supply the goals that will maintain their top-flight status after last season's promotion back to the top flight.

However, he will face competition from the Black Cats, who are in the process of assembling a new-look strike-force after agreeing a fee for Wolves' Steven Fletcher.

The sale of Asamoah Gyan and the return of Nicklas Bendtner to parent club Arsenal after his loan spell has left Martin O’Neill eager to replenish his striking options at the Stadium of Light.