IT IS BARELY four weeks since the end of the summer transfer window, but rumours about West Ham being forced to sell players in January already appears to be surfacing. Despite the Hammers being able to hold on to England centre half Matthew Upson (left)

IT IS BARELY four weeks since the end of the summer transfer window, but rumours about West Ham being forced to sell players in January already appears to be surfacing.

Despite the Hammers being able to hold on to England centre half Matthew Upson (left) both last January and then again in the summer, it seems that the vultures are circling once again with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp linked with a move for the 30-year-old.

The West Ham captain was a target for Italian side Fiorentina on deadline day, with the Serie A outfit allegedly being told if they upped their �7million bid to �9million the deal could be done.

Fiorentina refused, while Spurs' bid of around �4million was immediately rejected, but come January, much could depend on both West Ham's financial predicament and their position in the Premier League table as to whether the club would consider selling one of their prized assets, with Spurs and perhaps more crucially Arsenal waiting in the wings.

Robert Green's criticism of his fellow players was seen by many as the first step towards him asking for a move away from West Ham.

But Hammers fans will cling to the belief that neither Upson, or Green will want to go through the rigmarole of a move in January, when they are battling for a place in Fabio Capello's England squad for next summer's World Cup Finals.