Spurs agree Kanoute swap deal

The two clubs have been haggling over a deal for the gangly Frenchman for some time, but talks appeared to reach an impasse.

However all parties continued to talk and a suitable package was thrashed out on Saturday.

Kanoute will face stiff competition for a regular starting berth at White Hart Lane, with Robbie Keane, Helder Postiga and Bobby Zamora all vying for two centre forward positions.

The Hammers brought in Irish striker David Connolly from Wimbledon earlier in the week, meaning manager Glenn Roeder could look to move on some of his higher wage earners.

With Connolly likely to form a partnership with Jermain Defoe, the release of Kanoute would not leave a huge void.

With West Ham selling Trevor Sinclair earlier in the summer, The Hammers were lacking width and Roeder may well have earmarked former Peterborough ace Etherington as the man to take that role.

Etherington has failed to hit the heights expected of him following his move from The Posh in 1999 and may well look on a switch to Upton Park as the ideal chance to resurrect his career.

Hammers chief Glenn Roeder expects to seal the signing of Etherington in the near future, as he said: "We have agreed personal terms with Matt.

"We are close to the transfer, and when we secure his services with Fredi going the other way we hope to continue our efforts to bring in another striker - we are in the advanced stages of doing so," he added on the club`s website.