West Ham Happy to Consider Offers for 'leading Players'

Further signs of West Ham's financial troubles emerged today when the club's chief executive, Scott Duxbury, admitted he would listen to offers for any of his players.

"We must not be afraid of interest in, or bids for, our leading players," Duxbury said. "Each approach will be considered in terms of fee, fitness, form and where the manager thinks the player is in his career. A bid may be evaluated by the manager as allowing him to significantly improve his team."

West Ham's Icelandic owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, is currently beset with financial problems and it is understood players will have to be sold if the manager, Gianfranco Zola, wants to freshen up his squad. However, Duxbury said Zola would not be compelled to lose players.

"Players don't have to be sold but it has been clear since the arrival of Gianfranco that he is keen to have a smaller first-team squad based on quality over quantity," he added. "As I say, he looks likely to move on some fringe players in a bid to achieve a smaller squad of players that he can work closely with on a day-to-day basis."

Zola will be anxious to retain the services of key performers such as Craig Bellamy and Matthew Upson but would consider selling fringe players, including Calum Davenport, Julien Faubert, Hayden Mullins, Luis Boa Morte and Danny Gabbidon.