The proposed transfer of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh to West Ham has fallen through after the club was unable to reach an agreement to sign the Morocco international

Despite the £5million sale of centre-back James Collins to Aston Villa earlier in the day freeing up the funds needed to buy Chamakh, the transfer of the 25-year-old hitman has failed to materialse as some expected.

However, Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is still hopeful of pushing through a last-minute deal for another striker to boost the club's injury-ravaged front line.

Zola, meanwhile, has not given up hope of signing Chamakh in the January transfer window, when the Ligue 1 champions may be willing to sell with Chamakh's contract at the Stade Chaban-Delmas due to expire next summer.

Chamakh, who has netted three goals in as many games so far this season, had been identified by Zola as the perfect addition to his forward line.

Arsenal also had a £6million rejected for the hitman by Les Girondins, although Arsene Wenger is said to be keen on signing the player on a free transfer next summer.