And Redknapp is now weighing up a £2.5m swoop for the man from Lovech.

Claims that Todorov has already signed a three-and-a-half-year deal are premature, but sources at Upton Park suggest Redknapp is likely to try and sign the player.

Redknapp still has money to spend following the £18m sale of Rio Ferdinand to Leeds, even though he has brought in four new players on permanent contracts and two on loan for the rest of the season.

Since selling Ferdinand, Redknapp has signed Rigobert Song, Titi Camara, Christian Dailly and Raggy Soma.

He has also taken Hannu Tihinen on loan and last night brought in wing-back Sebastien Schemmell on loan from French club Metz until the end of the season.

Chilean defender Javier Margas has announced his retirement because of a knee injury.