West Ham and QPR Lead Chase for Marseilles Midfielder Mathieu Valbuena

West Ham and QPR could become locked in a bidding war for French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena after both Premier League clubs started discussions with Marseilles.

The diminutive France international has told the Ligue 1 club he wants to play in another league, with a move to England thought to be his preferred choice.

That has put Sam Allardyce and Harry Redknapp, managers of the Hammers and the R's respectively, on alert as both clubs look to add to their ranks ahead of the new season.

The 28-year-old, who scored once at the World Cup for Les Blues in the 5-2 defeat of Switzerland, has been at Marseilles since 2006, appearing 227 times and winning the French league title once.

Marseilles have already turned down bids from Dynamo Moscow for the playmaker and have received offers from the two London clubs for Valbuena, reports French sports publication L'Equipe.

West Ham have completed the signing of five new players so far this summer, including the £12m forward Enner Valencia, while cutting their wage bill by axing players deemed surplus to requirements.

Other players who have moved to the east London club are Mauro Zarate, Diego Poyet, Cheikhou Kouyate and Ipswich Town's Aaron Cresswell.

Those shown the exit door included Joe Cole, who signed for Aston Villa and loyal Allardyce servant Matt Taylor, who moved to Premier League new boys Burnley.

QPR, meanwhile added free agent Rio Ferdinand after the 35-year-old did not feature in Louis van Gaal's Manchester United plans, shelled out £8m for Steven Caulker from Cardiff City and have taken Hammers starlet Ravel Morrison on loan.

Players so far trimmed from their squad include Israel-bound Yossi Benayoun, Julio Cesar and striker Andrew Johnson.