Hammers boss Alan Pardew has revealed the club have now received a bid closer to their valuation of the 23-year-old, who is out of contract next summer.

Pardew’s suggestion that Carrick could miss the Coca-Cola Championship opener against Leicester on Saturday has also increased speculation that a deal could be done soon.

Pardew said: “There are more than two clubs involved now and rightly so because he’s a top-class player.

“Michael leaving was something we knew would happen as soon as we lost the play-off final to Palace last season. We need the money. I’ve tried to make him stay but he wouldn’t sign a new contract.

“This is not the best timing while we are preparing for Leicester. There is obviously a question mark about whether he will play for us on Saturday.

“Whether he plays on Saturday will come down to how he feels. There is a huge risk for us to play him, not just financially but mentally for the squad. There is no easy answer.”

Pompey had their initial offer rejected as the Hammers sought to up the price for the twice-capped England international.

They returned with an increased bid today and chairman Milan Mandaric is confident a deal can be done.

Mandaric said: “I know of Everton’s interest and I am not surprised because there is always going to be competition for a player of his calibre.

“But I have had a long dialogue with West Ham’s chairman Terry Brown and improved our offer. I believe we should be there but they wanted to sleep on it.”

Palace are also hoping to prise Carrick away from Upton Park after securing their place in the top flight by beating the Hammers in Cardiff last May.

The Eagles made an approach last month and boss Iain Dowie admits he is a keen admirer of the player.

Dowie said: “We are still one of the teams interested in Michael but it may not be in our control. We made a bid that I think is very reasonable and we will see what happens.

“Michael is a player I like and admire. I would like to think he would find it interesting to come to our club.

“I think Michael has been saying that this would not be the right move for him, but I don’t understand that. We hope he wants to come and talk to us.

“I met Michael on holiday this summer. He was staying in the same place as me and we had a chat.

"He seems a nice lad but I would like the chance to talk to him about the move.

“He’s got his own career decision to make and maybe he won’t decide to come here, but that’s up to him.”