Ali al-Faraj is ready to launch a takeover push for West Ham United.

The Independent on Sunday says Al-Faraj, the Saudi property investor who recently failed in his attempts to buy Portsmouth, is believed to be considering a bid for West Ham United. Al-Faraj, who claimed to have agreed a deal to buy Pompey at the end of August, is thought to have set his sights on the heavily indebted East End club.

It is not known if Peter Storrie, chief executive of Portsmouth and former managing director at West Ham who brought Al-Faraj into the bidding process at Pompey at the 11th hour, is involved in the approach.