Gianfranco Zola keen for West Ham takeover resolution

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West Ham uncertainty 'no excuse' - Zola

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has urged the club's owners to quickly finalise a takeover as he believes the constant speculation is unsettling the players.

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino and Air Asia boss Tony Fernandes are both in talks with Hammers' owners Straumur for a potential £100m takeover.

West Ham are currently only one place above the relegation zone.

"All this talk is affecting everybody and the sooner we get it sorted the better," admitted Zola.

"The players want to know and they read a lot of things. We had a chat and we clarified it. As far as I am concerned our priority is on the pitch.

"It is not comfortable but it is not an excuse."

The club, who are currently owned by CB Holding, are £38m in debt and have been fined a further £115,000 following crowd violence in August's Carling Cup tie against Millwall.

Reports in Italy suggested Cellino would replace Zola, who only took charge at West Ham last season, with former Cagliari manager Daniele Arrigoni if his bid is successful.

Zola knows Cellino from his time as a Cagliari player.

Former Birmingham City owners David Sullivan and David Gold are also said to be interested in the Premier League strugglers, while finance company Intermarket have also targeted a takeover.

606: DEBATE I don't want Cellino to take over. Don't like the sound of him and apparently he doesn't like Zola. Fernandes is better. NoLedge

"I know that in my job you are under threat all of the time," admitted Zola.

"I can only focus on the things that are under my control. This is not under my control and I'm not going to spend even a second thinking about it.

"I have a vital game in two days' time. Although it is not easy as you can imagine, I try to think about the things that I can make a difference in. I can't really spend too much energy on the other things."

The Hammers travel to Villa Park on Sunday without a senior striker after Guillermo Franco joined Carlton Cole, Luis Boa Morte and Kieron Dyer on the sidelines.

Zola had planned to meet the board last week to discuss the prospects of bringing in a new striker - but all transfer dealings are almost certainly on hold.

"We might be able to do something but obviously it might be difficult in this situation," he added.

"It is not easy but I am not going to complain. If I start thinking about how unlucky I am and complain about things I am not going to sort the situation out.

"If we get through we will be better players and managers. What can I do? I'm not going to bang my head against the wall because of that. I am going to fight."