Glenn Roeder has confirmed his interest in taking a closer look at
Croatian international Robert Jarni.
The 32 year old, currently with Las Palmas, has told associates he is delighted to have the opportunity to impress the Hammers, as he awaits the necessary paper work before travelling to England.
"We were hoping to bring Robert Jarni in without anyone knowing to have a look at him, but apparently it has come out from the other end," says Glenn.
"We don't know if we will definitely be able to look at him this week but we remain very hopeful.
"He has had a great career; he has been capped over 70 times for Croatia and been at some of the best teams in the world.
"He played at Juventus, Real Madrid, Dinamo Zagreb...he has got a proper CV and we wanted to have the opportunity to have a first look at him.
"Hopefully that will happen later in the week and if it does I'm looking forward to Robert coming to our training ground in Chadwell Heath."
He has also played at Real Betis and Torino...not to mention Coventry City. Sort of.
Glenn is hoping to have him longer than the three hours Gordon Strachan claims to have signed him for after he agreed to join from Real Betis in 1998 - before hearing that Barcelona wanted him.
"We'll have a close look at his physical fitness which I'm sure is good as he is still in the Croatian team," adds Glenn.
"I'm told he is quite excited by maybe having the prospect or the opportunity to come and play in the Premiership.
"It could be an interesting one; there aren't too many left backs or left wing backs that have got his playing career.
"He has played in a flat back four and as a wing back, he has great energy box to box, and can put some wonderful crosses into the penalty area with his left peg.
"It would be nice to have a player of that quality and that reputation over at Chadwell Heath.
"If you are a true football fan you would have heard about Robert - he had a terrific Euro '96 and was even better in France '98 when Croatia got to the semis."
"At 32 I wouldn't say he is an old, old man!
"If he has retained his physical fitness and enthusiasm for the game I'm sure there are two or three years left in him.
"Maybe he has spoken to Bilic, Stimac, or Suker and they have told him what a good club we are.
"I don't know if he has but I'm told he is looking forward to the prospect of coming to West Ham."
As for the reasons for the delay, Glenn says:
"What has held it up for a couple of days is getting a visa; after September 11th everything is a lot tighter now - and rightly so."
The 32 year old, currently with Las Palmas, has told associates he is delighted to have the opportunity to impress the Hammers, as he awaits the necessary paper work before travelling to England.
"We were hoping to bring Robert Jarni in without anyone knowing to have a look at him, but apparently it has come out from the other end," says Glenn.
"We don't know if we will definitely be able to look at him this week but we remain very hopeful.
"He has had a great career; he has been capped over 70 times for Croatia and been at some of the best teams in the world.
"He played at Juventus, Real Madrid, Dinamo Zagreb...he has got a proper CV and we wanted to have the opportunity to have a first look at him.
"Hopefully that will happen later in the week and if it does I'm looking forward to Robert coming to our training ground in Chadwell Heath."
He has also played at Real Betis and Torino...not to mention Coventry City. Sort of.
Glenn is hoping to have him longer than the three hours Gordon Strachan claims to have signed him for after he agreed to join from Real Betis in 1998 - before hearing that Barcelona wanted him.
"We'll have a close look at his physical fitness which I'm sure is good as he is still in the Croatian team," adds Glenn.
"I'm told he is quite excited by maybe having the prospect or the opportunity to come and play in the Premiership.
"It could be an interesting one; there aren't too many left backs or left wing backs that have got his playing career.
"He has played in a flat back four and as a wing back, he has great energy box to box, and can put some wonderful crosses into the penalty area with his left peg.
"It would be nice to have a player of that quality and that reputation over at Chadwell Heath.
"If you are a true football fan you would have heard about Robert - he had a terrific Euro '96 and was even better in France '98 when Croatia got to the semis."
"At 32 I wouldn't say he is an old, old man!
"If he has retained his physical fitness and enthusiasm for the game I'm sure there are two or three years left in him.
"Maybe he has spoken to Bilic, Stimac, or Suker and they have told him what a good club we are.
"I don't know if he has but I'm told he is looking forward to the prospect of coming to West Ham."
As for the reasons for the delay, Glenn says:
"What has held it up for a couple of days is getting a visa; after September 11th everything is a lot tighter now - and rightly so."