Upson 'For Sale' Sign Goes Up

According to The Daily Mirror West Ham are looking to sell Matthew Upson for £15 million in January. With Upson's contract due to run out in 18 months the Mirror say that West Ham privately see the sale of Upson as good business.

The Mirror also claim that West Ham nearly sold Upson to Liverpool on transfer deadline day but Liverpool wouldn't match West Ham's asking price.

The News of the World agree that Upson will be sold. However they say he will be sold for £10 million, with Liverpool being the likely buyers. They say West Ham will then buy Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh for £6 million.

The News of the World also claim that the American backed consortium headed by Jim Bowe held formal meetings with the club's Icelandic based owners on Thursday and have instructed Rothschild to oversee their buyout bid. If the bid is successful they say West Ham won't have to sell Upson.

A 'source' revealed to the paper,

"At first West Ham did not respond to the interest but they have now been satisfied by the consortium's proof of funds. There was a satisfactory meeting on Thursday and matters should now move forward quite quickly.

"Within the next couple of weeks, it will become clear about the true state of West Ham's finances and whether or not the consortium will continue with their offer. If they are satisfied that 100 million is the right price then they will continue. If not they will walk away.

"Should they continue with the takeover then they are ready to allocate funds of up to £30 million for new players in the January transfer window."

The Daily Mail claim that David Gold has been approached by three clubs but not by West Ham.