Hammers join hunt for Bjornebye

Hammers boss Harry Redknapp today joined the chase for the Norwegian international after his attempts to sign Arsenal's Nigel Winterburn fell through.

And, though Ewood chief Graeme Souness still remains 'reasonably confident' of getting his man, the pull of Premiership football at Upton Park may yet lure the 30-year-old defender to the capital.

"I'm still reasonably confident of landing Stig but he has had several offers," said Souness, who has just returned from a week's holiday.

"He has just been selected for the Norwegian squad so he has got a few things to sort out.

"But he is thinking things over."

Bjornebye got a surprise call to the Norway squad after completing a loan spell at Danish outfit Brondby at the weekend. But he is expected to make a decision on his future in the next few days and he has indicated a move to Blackburn still remains an attractive proposition.

"I think it's a lucrative offer in terms of football," said Bjornebye.

"Blackburn are a big club and they have got ambitions.

"They want to get back in the Premier League and that's a challenge that would appeal to every footballer.

"So it is an offer that would definitely appeal to me.

"I've got the impression Blackburn want to sort it out sooner rather than later.

"So once the clubs have sorted things out it is then up to me to make a decision.

"But a lot has happened to me in the last two days here.

"I've just finished the season with Brondby then I got picked for the Norwegian squad so I'm a little bit stressed out at the moment trying to get everything organised.

"But, for me at the moment, it's important to have as many opportunities as possible."

Brondby would also like to land the Liverpool defender but the club's managing director has stated they cannot compete with the likes of Rovers and West Ham in terms of wages.

They cannot, however, be totally ruled out of the equation at this stage.