Return of the Mac?

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy has admitted that he is 'flattered' to be linked with a move to West Ham United.

McCarthy almost joined the Hammers in the August 2005 transfer window but then-club Porto pulled the plug on the £6m deal at the last minute despite him having agreed personal terms.

The South African striker ended up joining Blackburn for a cut-price £2.5m last summer but has failed to settle in the North West despite scoring over 20 goals last season.

In the last few days McCarthy has once again been linked with a move to the capital, with both Chelsea and the Hammers touted as possible suitors.

And the 29-year-old striker says he would be happy to join either.

"I am very flattered to be linked with clubs like Chelsea and West Ham United," he told SkySports. "Both have great history and both are great teams in the Premier League.

"I've got a contract [at Blackburn] and I am here to serve a duty to my club that I am contracted at.

"But if the opportunity does come to go and play for a team where you can move up a level, that will always be my dream. That is always what I strive towards as a player.

"If the opportunity occurs to go and play for a team like that, then I would love for my management to look at the possibility and look in their heart to make it possible to make a move."