West Ham have assured new manager Gianfranco Zola he will not have to sell players in the January transfer window despite another of the club’s main shareholding companies heading into administration.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew warned any potential new owner that he would walk out of Upton Park rather than be told who to pick in the team.

Kia Joorabchian confirmed to the London Stock Exchange this afternoon that he is considering making a takeover bid for West Ham.

The proposed takeover of West Ham by Iranian-born businessman Kia Joorabchian has failed to materialise after disagreements over a price for the east-London club.