Gianfranco Zola has warned off any Premier League vultures circling Matthew Upson
West Ham boss determined to keep best players
Gianfranco Zola has warned any Premier League vultures circling Matthew Upson that the England centre-half is not for sale.
With West Ham in financial dire-straights and expected to sell in January, invariable speculation has surfaced with regards Upson's future.
In one Sunday newspaper Upson has been strongly linked with a return to former club Arsenal, who are expected to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements when the transfer window re-opens.
Upson started and scored in England's impressive defeat of Germany in midweek and Zola has now moved to rule out a sale.
No sale
"Matty is not for sale either now or in January," he told the Sunday Express.
"I don't have to sell any of my best players. I have been promised that."
Hammers stopper James Collins, who is currently playing alongside Upson, has echoed his manager's thoughts.
"He's a top class player and hopefully we can build a partnership and keep a few more clean sheets.
"It would be a massive loss to lose any player of his quality."
