Hammers January sales denial

West Ham's vice-chairman has rejected claims that the Hammers will have to sell a number of players in January's transfer window.

There is mounting talk that Icelandic chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson will look to sell the Hammers because of his current financial plight, with Gudmundsson estimated to have lost £230million of his personal fortune through the collapse of Landsbanki.

Now after company, Hansa, who have a considerable stake in West Ham, have begun a process of administration adding to further fears that the club might be forced to sell some of the their prized assets.

But vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson stated: "West Ham is well funded for the remainder of the year and I am convinced the club will go on, no matter what.

"We are not going to sell players to settle the debts of Hansa."

He added: "He (the chairman) put £30million into the club last year, it is not a loan like some owners of clubs.

"It was paid in as equity. It is not affecting the operation of West Ham and there is no debt within West Ham from Hansa or vice-versa.

"There is no money going from the club to the owner. It is fire-walled. The operation will go on - it is unaffected by this development."