West Ham consider listening to offers for Parker and Green

West Ham United are considering offloading Scott Parker and Robert Green to fund a survival sortie into the market before the transfer window closes next week. After slumping to a 3-1 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday in the wake of their 3-0 opening day defeat at Aston Villa, alarm bells are already ringing in the ears of David Sullivan and David Gold, the east London club's joint owners.

During the close season Sullivan vowed that Parker, the club captain, was the one player who would not be up for sale. But, contrary to some reports last week, Parker has yet to put pen to paper to the offer of a new contract. Sullivan has maintained the former Chelsea and Newcastle United player is still not for sale. But given that Parker is well aware Tottenham Hotspur still want to sign him, he is resisting committing himself to a new long-term deal with the east-end club.

It is understood from sources close to the 29-year-old that he feels he cannot afford to miss out on the prospect of playing Champions League football with Tottenham this season which would enhance his prospects of forcing his way back into the England squad. He fears any chances of England recognition could be ruined if West Ham endure another season of survival struggle so would jump at the chance of moving to White Hart Lane.

Parker was called up into England's 30-man pre-World Cup squad, but missed the cut because Fabio Capello, the manager, felt he lacked the sort of big match international experience players get from playing in the Champions League. Spurs are expected to make a new bid for Parker this week but are unlikely to meet West Ham's £10 million (Dh56.9m) valuation. A previous offer of £5m was rejected six weeks ago.

However, given that it is clear the West Ham squad needs bolstering if they are to avoid a repeat of last season's long battle against relegation, the club's owners could now be prepared to do business, particularly if it means they could take Robbie Keane, the Tottenham striker, to boost their limited goalscoring options. The club could also be willing to sell Green, the dethroned England goalkeeper, to generate further funds.

Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, is ready to offload Keane in order to accommodate Luis Fabiano, the Brazil striker who is on offer from Spanish club Sevilla. The Irishman could be presented in part exchange for Parker or even farmed out to the Hammers on loan. Keane, though, may be reluctant to move to West Ham preferring a transfer to Aston Villa, Sunderland or Celtic, all of whom are reportedly interested in his services.

In that case, should West Ham move Parker on, they may look to take Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz on loan, providing City part funded the Paraguay striker's wages. West Ham would also try and take Nigel Reo-Coker, their former captain, back from Aston Villa to fill the hole left by Parker, especially as Valom Behrami, another midfielder, could move to Italian club Roma this week. Sullivan and Gold are due to have meetings later this week with Avram Grant, the manager, to discuss possible targets to provide a much-needed fillip to the squad.

Given that their next Premier League games are against Manchester United and Chelsea, Sullivan, who has promised the fans that the new season will be much better than last now he and Gold are in charge, suddenly fears the Hammers will be rock bottom with no points when the transfer window closes at the end of the month unless they act quickly. sports@thenational.ae