Grant insists Upson will stay with Hammers

20 August 2010 18:00
West Ham manager Avram Grant is convinced captain Matthew Upson will stay at Upton Park this season - but his long-term future remains up in the air. Upson is out of contract next summer and West Ham are conscious that the England defender could leave on a free transfer if they cannot persuade him to sign a new deal. Co-chairman David Gold wants to keep Upson in claret and blue for the rest of his career, but he admitted that West Ham would probably have to cash in if they received a bid in excess of £6million. That money would come in very handy to Grant, who is treading a financial tightrope as he attempts to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes on September 1. But the Hammers boss would rather keep hold of his entire stable of England internationals, having so far successfully fought off Tottenham's summer approach for Scott Parker. Grant said: "Ninety per cent of the squad will stay and Matthew Upson is in that 90% who will stay here. We like him, he's good for us and a good captain and he will stay. "Scott Parker will play (against Bolton) and will be at West Ham in the years to come. We came here to make the new season and the next seasons better than before. We want to take the club forward."

Source: PA