Julien Faubert

The most unlikely story of the year:

BBC Football Website

West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert is on the verge of joining Spanish giants Real Madrid on loan.

The Frenchman has been given permission to talk to Real after struggling to secure a first-team place this season.

Real must pay a £1.5m fee for the loan move, with the option of buying Faubert at the end of the season.

Faubert, 25, joined West Ham in 2007 from Bordeaux for £6.1m, but soon ruptured his Achilles tendon, which kept him out until January 2008.

Madrid have been searching for a right winger during the transfer window had been linked with Jermaine Pennant, Aaron Lennon and Antonio Valencia.

The Hammers signed midfielder Radoslav Kovac on a loan deal on Friday and have also signed striker Savio Nsereko during the transfer window.

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury: "I was first contacted by Madrid on Friday and after extensive negotiations, we have agreed in principle a deal that would see them paying us a £1.5m fee to take Julien until the end of the season.

"His long-term future would then be reviewed in the summer, with a significant transfer fee payable should Madrid want to take up their option.

"If Julien does go on loan, then we will look to quickly bring in a replacement.

"Julien has struggled to get into Gianfranco Zola's team this season and, despite the high hopes we had for him when he joined us 18 months ago, he has not had the best of times.

"He had asked the manager about a possible move and we felt it right to let him talk to Real Madrid. If it does not happen, then we will of course welcome Julien back into the squad.