Basel Striker Marco Streller Says No to West Ham Move

Basel captain Marco Streller has vowed to finish his career at the Swiss champions despite his agent revealing West Ham United have shown interest in signing the striker.

The Hammers have strengthened their attacking options in signing Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate this summer, but Andy Carroll's four-month absence has forced the club to consider further recruits.

Stoke City's Peter Crouch and Portugal international Hugo Almeida have subsequently been linked with moves to Upton Park but 33-year-old Streller has also been considered.

"It is true that West Ham came to see us. Maybe Marco needs a new challenge again after seven years at FC Basel. It would be like a World Cup final for him," Streller's agent Marco Balmelli said amid reports suggesting a two-year contract had been put on the table from Sam Allardyce's side.

However, Streller, who has won six Swiss league titles since returning to Basel in 2007, has ended speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League and will honour his promise to see out the remainder of his career at the club.

"There have been in recent years repeated offers from abroad, including in the last days," Streller told Basel's official website. "After careful consideration and consultation with my family and those in charge of the FCB, I have decided to continue my career in Basel. I have big ambitions to continue to be successful with the FCB.

"I have given the fans a promise that I would like to finish my career in Basel, I want to keep this promise."

In addition to Carroll's absence, West Ham's woes have been exacerbated by news that Ecuador international Enner Valencia may miss the club's opening game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

In order to address their shortcomings, Hammers co-owner David Sullivan confirmed on Thursday the search was under way for more firepower.

"We've got offers in for three or four strikers - one in England, three abroad - and we just hope to land one of them," Sullivan told the club's official website. "We do need to sign another player.

"We have worked 24/7 all summer and we still want to get at least one more striker in. It's been very, very tough but we're pleased with what we've got - there are players with massive potential for the future but we know there isn't enough goals in the team at the moment."