Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has been told to jump at the chance to join his Wales team-mates at West Ham.

Bellamy, recently named Wales captain in the wake of Ryan Giggs' retirement from international football, is believed to be a summer target for the Hammers with a £9m fee mooted.

With Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez needing to sell players to bolster his transfer kitty, Bellamy and Harry Kewell could well be sacrificed.

Bellamy, already a target for Aston Villa and Blackburn, is wanted by West Ham boss Alan Curbishley as a partner for Dean Ashton with a £70,000 a week package on offer.

Bellamy's arrival at Upton Park would meet with the approval of West Ham and Wales defenders Danny Gabbidon and James Collins.

Gabbidon said: He would love it at West Ham. He would be an instant fans' favourite. Craig is a quality player but what West Ham fans would love is that he never stops running, even if the team are 3-0 down.

''He is a defender's nightmare, like a terrier snapping at your heels. I have never known him give less than 100 per cent.''

He added: ''Craig would be a great signing for us and would definitely improve the squad.

''The manager has a lot of money to spend and Craig is the kind of player the club are trying to attract to improve the team so we do not have any relegation troubles next season.

''We have got Dean Ashton returning after missing last season after suffering a broken ankle. Dean and Craig would make a great partnership, Dean is a tall and skilful front man while Craig is a hard-working, quick striker with great movement.''

Benitez needs to make a quick decision over Bellamy's future now he believes the proposed major funding from the new US owners of the club, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, will not be as much as he had expected.