West Ham United have slapped a £12 million price-tag on striker Craig Bellamy.

The Mirror says the Hammers have quoted the fee to FOUR top clubs, who were hoping to take advantage of their financial problems only to find an auction has started that could see Gianfranco Zola's club making a healthy profit.

Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Celtic have all made enquiries about Bellamy, who could be one of the hottest tickets in the transfer window - even at his inflated fee.

An insider at one of Bellamy's suitors revealed: "The price was starting at around £8m but now it has gone higher and higher - we could all do with Man City dropping out of the race."