Former Birmingham City chairman David Gold is ready to push through a takeover of West Ham United.

The Daily Star says Gold wants a route back into football after Carson Yeung's Blues takeover sparked his departure from the Midlands club. And Gold, together with fellow ex-St Andrew's co-owner David Sullivan, have identified Upton Park as their favoured destination.

But the club's reported £100m debt is threatening to scupper Gold's hopes to take control of the club he played for as a kid.

Multi-millionaire Gold wants a cut-price deal for the Hammers that takes into account the club's massive debts - and is understood to be prepared to part with only £40m.

But CB Holdings, the Icelandic asset management firm that owns West Ham, want in the region of £120m.

And if they play hard ball on the price, Gold could drop his interest and focus instead on either Crystal Palace or Charlton.