Harewood set for Hammers

Nottingham Forest have accepted a £500,000 bid from West Ham for highly-rated striker Marlon Harewood.

Forest have decided to offload Harewood after he turned down a new deal at The City Ground.

Harewood's current contract expires at the end of the season and, with the player showing no intention of signing a new one, the club have decided to sell him now rather than lose him for nothing in the summer.

West Ham boss Alan Pardew had admitted he was looking to bring in a new striker as he continues to search for his first win since taking charge at Upton Park.

Hammers managing director Paul Aldridge confirmed a bid has been accepted, but insisted a deal was far from being sealed.

"We have had an offer accepted by Nottingham Forest but we have not spoken formally with Marlon or his agent yet and it is far too early to say whether a deal will be completed," Aldridge told the club's official website.

The deal for Harewood is sure to fuel speculation that Hammers striker Jermain Defoe could be on his way when the transfer window reopens in January, with Manchester United strongly linked with England Under-21 international.