Transfer news: Birmingham have rejected a £4million bid from West Ham for central defender Matthew Upson. Blues boss Steve Bruce has constantly stressed he is under no pressure to sell Upson during the January transfer window.
And in any case the bid made by the Hammers falls well short of Blues' valuation of the former Arsenal player - believed to be around £6million.
Alan Curbishley has injury worries regarding the defensive trio of Daniel Gabbidon, James Collins and Anton Ferdinand and was hoping Upson could solve his problems.
Upson's former club Arsenal would be entitled to a 25 per cent cut of any fee above the £2.5million City paid for him in January 2003.
Bruce is hoping Upson will help Championship leaders Birmingham gain promotion back to the Premiership and then have a rethink about his future after rejecting a new five-year contract last season.
Curbishley has already completed the signing of Calum Davenport from Tottenham. The 24-year-old was at White Hart Lane for just over two years but has struggled to hold down a regular place, despite a recent run in the team following Ledley King's bruised foot.
Blackburn defender Lucas Neill, meanwhile, will reportedly sign for West Ham after snubbing a "dream" move to Liverpool.
The Australia international had been in talks about a £2million, £35,000-a-week move to Anfield, according to The Sun, but will now sign for relegation-threatened West Ham, who have reportedly offered him upwards of £50,000 a week.
• Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi has joined Parma on loan for the rest of the season. Rossi had a spell on loan at Newcastle earlier this season.
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