Hughton seeks more striking options as Norwich manager weighs up bid for Fiorentina misfit El Hamdaoui



Norwich City are keen to further strengthen their forward line by bringing in Fiorentina's Mounir El Hamdaoui.

Despite only joining the Serie A side a year ago, the Morocco international, 29, has found first team opportunities limited.

Canaries Manager Chris Hughton is keen to recruit another striker after making offers for Ola Toivonen of PSV Eindhoven and Fabio Quagliarella of Juventus.

Transfer target: Norwich City would consider a bid for Fiorentina striker Mounir El Hamdaoui (right)

Shortlist: Chris Hughton is also considering a bid for Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella (left)

He did receive a boost on Monday, however, when Gary Hooper, a £5million signing from Celtic, was cleared of serious injury after being stretchered off during the club's final pre-season friendly against Panathinaikos.

El Hamdaoui was signed by Martin Jol while manager of Tottenham in 2005, but spent his first season on loan at Derby County before injuries cut short his chances in English football.

He returned to Holland, the country of his birth, and excelled at AZ Alkmaar, where he netted 52 goals in 92 appearances over the course of three seasons.



Injury scare: New Norwich signing Gary Hooper is not seriously injured despite being stretchered off against Panathinaikos on Saturday

This goalscoring form was sufficient to persuade Jol, now Ajax manager, to recruit him again in July 2010.