Spurs Preparing Upson Bid - Report

Tottenham Hotspur are targeting a January transfer window swoop for West Ham United defender Matthew Upson, according to the People newspaper.

Spurs have had a dreadful start to their Premier League campaign and currently find themselves at the foot of the league table.

And while a number of players were brought in over the summer, the North London club are finding it hard to replicate the goals lost by Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov’s departures or shore up their defensive unit.

Therefore, the national newspaper has suggested manager Juande Ramos is eyeing England international Upson, with Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola admitting he will have to sell before he buys in January due to the club’s large squad current financial concerns.

Whether he would want to sell his key centre-back is debatable however, although Spurs’ need for reinforcements cannot be doubted. Jonathan Woodgate has proved to be a consistent purchase, but with club captain Ledley King struggling to play two games in a row as he desperately searches for full fitness, and new signing Vedran Corluka being used mainly as a full-back so far, Ramos finds himself short on quality and cover.

29-year-old Upson, who has previously played for Arsenal and Birmingham City, started for England in their 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan on Saturday and is now battling to keep his place for Wednesday’s trip to Belarus with Joleon Lescott of Everton challenging.

The report suggests that a bid to the value of around £5 million is being prepared by under-pressure duo Ramos and Director of Football Damien Comolli.