Tottenham have launched an £8million bid for West Ham United defender Matthew Upson.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has a defensive crisis at the moment and needs to bring in a quality centre-half if the club is to make the top four and qualify for the Champions League.

With West Ham's dire financial situation, it means a January move for the former Arsenal man is a possibility but Redknapp will have to use players as collateral to complete any dealings.

David Bentley and Alan Hutton have been named as players who could potentially exit White Hart Lane if Upson was to come the other way but Redknapp would be wary that the club spent upwards of £15million on winger Bentley just 18 months ago.

Manchester City are also interested in Upson, especially after the injury to Joleon Lescott who is expected to miss up to eight weeks.