West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan says he is taking charge of transfer policy.

The future of manager Gianfranco Zola remains in serious doubt and Sullivan admitted the Italian is not involved in buying players.

He said: "We have been talking to agents and starting work already on strengthening the team for next season. The manager has indicated he doesn't wish to be involved in signings. He wants to be the coach.

"We cannot kid ourselves that finishing above the three teams we have was anywhere near satisfactory. One team had nine points deducted, another could not maintain its early season form. And the other stayed up by the skin of its teeth last season.

"Next season is going to be even more difficult. There won't be any teams like Hull coming up. Look at the teams coming up from the Championship.

"Newcastle are a big club and West Brom will push the boat out I believe. And if Nottingham Forest made it up through the play-offs they are a wealthy club with history so it will be hard.

"We have looked at several experienced and decent French and German internationals and a lot of young South Americans. But we won't pay a lot of money for modest foreign players. I like British players but the prices are too high."