West Ham United are set to offer £5 million for Panathinaikos star Marcelo.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has seen his squad ravaged by injury and is understood to be ready to sell Hayden Mullins to fund the deal.

In an ironic twist, defensive midfielder Marcelo's adviser is Kia Joorabchian - who took Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez to Upton Park.

Reports Marcelo would not get a work permit are wide of the mark as he holds an Italian passport.