West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed that he would like to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka at the end of the season.

Recent reports claimed that the Championship side were considering a move for the Frenchman, but the ex-Bolton Wanderers boss has revealed that he will only swoop for the frontman if he is available in the summer.

"If Nicolas is available, I'd be massively interested," The Sun quotes Allardyce as saying. "I've not contacted Chelsea and am just looking at the situation with January looming.

"It would be an end-of-season pursuit rather than next month. We need to get into the Premier League - and then we'd have a better chance of signing someone of Nicolas's quality."

While the Hammers have declared their desire to eventually clinch the 32-year-old, Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua are believed to be close to agreeing a three-year deal with Anelka.