Hammers set to up ante for Upson

West Ham are lining up an improved bid of around £8m (€12m) to try and secure the services of Birmingham’s wantaway central defender Matthew Upson, before the transfer window closes at midnight.

The Hammers have already seen offers of £4m (€6m) and £6m (€9m) rejected by Blues boss Steve Bruce and the board of directors for Upson.

But it is understood they are prepared to make one last-ditch attempt to sign the former Arsenal player who has made it clear he wants to leave St Andrews after four years.

Bruce has been steeling himself for another offer from the Hammers, who are deep in Barclays Premiership relegation trouble after last night’s 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool.

The manager has been adamant Upson would not be sold for even £10m (€15m), because he fears the “negative effect” his departure would have on the squad of losing the England player.

But Upson has accused Birmingham of “moving the goalposts” and believes the fee they want for his services is unrealistic, given he has only 17 months to run on his five-and-a-half-year contract.

His representative Barry Neville has accused Blues of “reneging” on a verbal agreement to allow Upson to leave if a certain price was met by any interested parties.

Upson would come close to trebling his wages if he moved back to London and he has already stated he will not sign a new contract for Birmingham even if they are promoted to the Premiership.