West Ham are bracing themselves for an £8million bid from Manchester City for striker Craig Bellamy.

The 29-year-old is thought to be wanted by new City manager Mark Hughes, who worked with the forward while he was manager of Wales.

Hughes also knows Bellamy from his previous spell in charge of Blackburn and is keen to re-sign the player he sold to Liverpool.

City are short of attacking options ahead of the new Premier League season.

Record £19m signing Jo is not expected back from international duty with Brazil until after the Olympic Games and Benjani Mwaruwari will miss the opening month after rupturing a thigh muscle in training.

City have sold Georgios Samaras to Celtic and released Emile Mpenza and Paul Dickov, leaving only Darius Vassell and youngsters Ched Evans and Daniel Sturridge as their attacking options.

But West Ham are keen to hold on to Bellamy. They have already sold Bobby Zamora to Fulham and boss Alan Curbishley sees Bellamy as one of his four main strikers along with Dean Ashton, Freddie Sears and Carlton Cole.

Hughes is also trying to sign West Ham captain Lucas Neill but has been unsuccessful in his attempts to lure the 30-year-old to Eastlands.

West Ham insist the Australian is not for sale but they could be willing to do business once they have secured the £5m full-back Valon Behrami.

The 23-year-old Swiss international has performed a U-turn on his decision not to play in England and is now close to completing his move from Lazio.

Behrami, who played in all his country's matches in the European Championships, is expected to complete his transfer within days.