West Ham United have turned an improved offer believed to be in the region of £9.5 million from Manchester City for striker Craig Bellamy.
City boss Mark Hughes’ saw an initial bid for Bellamy turned down last week and had hoped an improved offer would be successful, not least because of the financial uncertainty facing West Ham and their owner, the Icelandic financier Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
However, West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is determined to retain the services of his most important squad members, and has so far turned down bids for Bellamy and Scott Parker.
Hughes has worked with Bellamy previously at both Blackburn Rovers and the Wales international setup.
