HAMMERS FACE TABANOU COMPETITION

WEST HAM face stiff competition in their efforts to bring France Under-21 star Franck Tabanou to Upton Park.

The Toulouse youngster has impressed on the left side of midfield in the early weeks of Ligue 1 and is now in demand.

Tabanou, 20, has a contract until the end of the season but has already decided to move on and has also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid, Saint Etienne and Monaco.

None of the clubs, including the Hammers, have yet made a firm offer to the French club.

But Tabanou said: "I am progressing well and I know West Ham are one of the clubs watching me.

"Next summer is the right time to move on but I will join whoever offers me the best sporting challenge. It cannot just be about money."

Meanwhile, Alan Curbishley will discover this week if he has won his £3m compensation claim against West Ham.

Curbishley took the Hammers to an arbitration hearing and is confident the judgment will be in his favour.

The former Hammers chief has also asked for his legal costs to be paid by the club as part of the settlement.

Curbishley quit the Hammers when the club sold left-back George McCartney to Sunderland against his wishes.

He has been unable to return to work while the arbitration process continued.

A source close to Curbishley said: "He's missed the game, but he was prevented from doing his job in accordance with the terms of his contract.

"He's confident of success."

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