West Ham have no need to sell off their key players, as manager Gianfranco Zola looks forwards to a positive campaign.
England defender Matthew Upson is one player linked with a possible big-money departure from Upton Park, while Stoke are said to be ready to launch a £5million bid for his fellow centre-back James Collins.
Zola, however, maintained following West Ham's 2-0 opening-day win at Wolves: "As far as I am concerned, we are looking to buy players not sell them."
While CB Holding, owned largely by Icelandic investment bank Straumur-Burdaras, are not immune to the global financial recession, there has been no change to their stance of when the group first assumed ownership of the Barclays Premier League club from previous chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson in June.
Zola is keen to bring another striker to Upton Park, with his former Chelsea team-mate Eidur Gudjohnsen, currently at Barcelona, a leading target.
While the Hammers may not have invested as heavily as some of their rivals this summer, there has still been money spent on a permanent deals for Czech midfielder Radoslav Kovac and Congo defender Herita Ilunga as well a loan move for Chilean forward Luis Jimenez from Inter Milan.
Chief executive Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani continue to assist Zola in the pursuit of further additions.
In a statement on the club's official website, www.whufc.com, ahead of the new campaign, Duxbury said: "The club's position remains the same as it was last week or as it was in January: there is no question of Straumur forcing us to sell anyone - in fact we are actively looking for new players.
"The papers are unsurprisingly full of speculation at this time of year, but the situation is clear - the only way a player would be allowed to leave is if Gianfranco thinks it is in the best interests of the squad as a whole and it is right for the club. It is as simple as that."
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We must buy players if we want to survive in the premiership, not sell them
What's this bull@#$% about selling Collins to Stoke.... to STOKE mind you !!
Collins is our BEST CB and he's 5 years younger than Upson !!
You know when the WHU board are lying... when their lips are moving !!
keep the supplys coming tel cause west ham will always sell .
when are we going to attract a big investor to this club, we have a fantastic loyal support, every week the ground is full our academy is second to none and we are looking to build a bigger place where even bigger attendances can be guaranteed so why is it that we cannot attract anyone with a decent bank balance.
I don't like the wording Duxbury has used "if Gianfranco thinks it is in the best interests of the squad as a whole..."
That could easily be interpreted as... If GZ wants to buy, then he's got to sell to fund it.... and shovelling the blame onto GZ if we DO sell.
Scriptwiter for Mandelson maybe Mr Duxbury?
As a hammer fan, it's sad to see the players such as Ashton, Upson or Collins to leave.
It's good to give Gianfranco full authority to trade in the best interests of the squad. Actually, 15M for Upson, 5M for Collins are attractive offers and we have several good Centre defenders such as Davenport, Gabbidon, Tomkins and even Spector can play this role.
On the other hand, we have to consider the depth of the squad as well as the availability of replacement. Performance is much important than money. Our money is for strengthen the squad, not to weaken the squad for money. Gianfranco should have ability to judge.
right as well weve supplied the premiership with enougth talent lets keep some quality. or we will just be a club with no ambition.
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