Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is ready to move for Reading fullback Nick Shorey.
Redknapp hopes to tie up a cut-price £3.5million deal.
West Ham had a £5m bid turned down last January. But twice-capped Shorey, 27, is keen to move to keep his international dream alive.
Hammers are still interested but Redknapp is confident he can land the left-back.