Hammers get firm with wanted duo

West Ham have received only loan bids for Mauro Zarate and aren’t ready to let him leave given the current injury problems.

And a possible move for Nikicia Jelavic is no further forward with a Hammers insider telling the ClaretandHugh the club needs both players at the moment.

Speculation started in the Italian media today (Monday) that Fiorentina had joined Malaga in a possible bid for the Argentinian.

But our top source revealed today that the only interest in the front man has been on a loan deal and that he is more important to the club than to be allowed out on that basis in the current circumstances.

Jelavic is understood to interest a Chinese club but our source said: “We can’t allow either of them to leave as things stand at the moment.”

Both players remain important members of the squad – Jelavic in particular with Andy Carroll injured – and Diafra Sakho not due back until early February.

Zarate has been told that he too is required to stay at the club but that could change if the injury siruation improves or a firm bid comes in for a permanent move.