The Austrian scored 22 goals in 65 appearances in two seasons at the Hammers, but has been linked with a move to China since January.

Defending champions Kashima Antlers, aiming to create history by becoming the first Japanese side to win back-to-back titles, will face two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande FC from China PR.

Guangzhou, who have not gone beyond the quarter-final stage since 2015, will welcome Kashima on August 28 before travelling to Japan on September 18.

The Riyadh club, along with new head coach Răzvan Lucescu, have set up camp in the city of Lienz which will be their base for the duration of their three-week stay in Austria.

Luis Sierra, who took over from Slaven Bilic in February, steered the club out of the relegation zone to finish 10th in the domestic league but the Saudi Arabia club have performed especially well on the continental front.

The Tigers advanced into the knockout rounds of the 2019 AFC Champions League when they took second spot in Group B behind United Arab Emirates’ Al Wahda, to book a Round of 16 clash against Zobahan FC.

Head coach Maurice Steijn is using the camp to familiarise himself with the squad, with the Dutchman having taking over from compatriot Hank ten Cate just two weeks ago.

Steijn has had to hit the ground running as Al Wahda, who finished third in the 2018-19 UAE Pro League, will be in 2019 AFC Champions League action in just under a month.

They will face Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in the first leg of the Round of 16 on August 5 with the return leg a week later.

Al Duhail, whose reign as QSL champions was ended by Al Sadd last season, ended the campaign brightly by winning the Amir Cup with a 4-1 triumph in the final over their domestic rivals.

In separate comments posted on both his own and the club's websites, the 2005 Champions League winner with Liverpool said he had been approached on previous occasions about a move to China PR but that nothing lined up quite like Dalian's offer.