West Ham have turned down a £3m offer from Birmingham for Marlon Harewood.
The 27-year-old striker has been deemed surplus to requirements at Upton Park but the Hammers are reportedly holding out for a transfer fee closer to £5m.
The former Nottingham Forest man joined West Ham in 2003 and was a key factor in their Championship promotion push in 2005, with 22 goals over the season.
In his first top-flight campaign Harewood found the net 16 times but he managed only four goals last term.
Two of those came under boss Alan Curbishley, who took over as West Ham boss in December 2006 and who is keen to boost his attacking options.
And Curbishley would like to recoup the majority of the £6m he paid Birmingham for defender Matthew Upson in January.
606: DEBATE
If the Blues do come in with a renewed offer it is likely they will face competition from a host of clubs.
Speculation has linked Harewood to a move back to the East Midlands with Derby, while London clubs Fulham and Charlton, where he could link up with former Hammers boss Alan Pardew, are also said to be in the hunt.
"I've had a chat with the new manager and he obviously wants to bring his own players in, it happens everywhere," Harewood said at the end of the season.
"I've had four good years at the club but now it's time for me to find a new challenge.
"I just can't wait to be scoring again and winning games for a team, that's what I want to be doing."
He has scored a total of 56 goals in 170 appearances for West Ham.
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