Arsenal and Man City target Hammers stars

West Ham insisted today they will reject any bid from Arsenal for England defender Matthew Upson as they come under increasing pressure to sell their top players in the transfer window.

It is thought the Gunners are preparing a move for Upson with striker Nicklas Bendtner being offered to Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola as part of the deal.

West Ham have denied they are planning a fire-sale of their most valuable players but, with Manchester City manager Mark Hughes expected to complete the signing of Scott Parker later today before upping his bid for Craig Bellamy, teams are preparing to test their resolve.

Upson, who missed West Ham's 3-0 FA Cup win over Barnsley with a virus, is also rumoured to be wanted by Aston Villa but, despite the club's financial problems, chief executive Scott Duxbury is adamant that Upson will not be leaving during this month's transfer window.

Duxbury has maintained that he is under no pressure to sell any of his star players although he has said that "each approach will be considered in terms of fee, fitness, form and where the manager thinks the player is in his career".

Duxbury, though, has had talks with both Upson and his agent, during which the former Arsenal and Birmingham defender has made it clear he is enjoying his football and is happy to stay.

Zola is also keen to keep Upson, who has been West Ham's most consistent performer this season. The club, who are up for sale and attracting interest from potential investors, are expected to sell Parker to City for around £12million and Hughes may also try his luck by offering £20m for Bellamy.

Tottenham are keen to sign the Wales striker but can't compete with City. Hughes, desperate to bolster his under-achieving squad after their FA Cup exit to Nottingham Forest, has already had an earlier bid of £15m rejected for Bellamy and Parker.

West Ham, though, have also made it clear that none of their players will leave without first a replacement being lined up.

Zola and assistant manager Steve Clarke, meanwhile, will see the long-awaited return of Kieron Dyer against Barnsley as akin to signing a new player.

Dyer, who has been out for 18 months after breaking a leg, came on for the last 20 minutes of the third-round win and Clarke said: "You saw against Barnsley when Kieron came on that he has quality but that he was struggling because he is lacking condition.

"We knew he was not fully match fit and we knew it would be a little gamble putting him on the bench."