West Ham request £20million from Liverpool for Carlton Cole.

Although boss Gianfranco Zola is desperate to hang on to his star man, the London side could be under pressure to sell in the New Yea. The owner - Icelandic investment bank Straumur - have to satisy creditors themselves.

Cole, who signed a new five-year contract last year, is not pressing for a move away as his aim is to make it to the England squad for next summer's World Cup finals. But it could be the Hammers attempt to bring in any funds they can, that will bring Cole out.

Cole has emerged as one of the Barclays Premier League top strikers, but is not the only West Ham player set to move on. Zola could also face bids for his other big names, notably Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Valon Behrami.