The England under-21 international has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson searches for another striker to bolster the United forward line, which currently only boasts two recognised strikers in Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Diego Forlan.

The forward has also been linked with Premiership title rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, however Hammers boss Alan Pardew insists the club has received no formal bids despite speculation dating back to the end of last season when Defoe had a transfer request rejected the day after West Ham were relegated to the First Division.

"If a player wants to go it is difficult to stop him, though there is no choice at the moment because no offers have been made." said Pardew.

"We'll give him a bigger contract if we possibly can and hope we've done enough to keep him here in the meantime.

"He has 18 months left to run on his contract, which leaves us vulnerable to going to a tribunal.

"The opportunities are this window and next summer and if he doesn't sign a new contract in the summer we will really have to do some business.

"I really like him. I think he is a terrific lad and I am trying to do the best for him and for West Ham."

Defoe is West Ham's top scorer with 15 goals to his name already this season, and it would be a massive blow to the promotion hopes of the London-club if he left in January.

He is undoubtedly a player of massive talent, but whether or not United would be willing to pay such a large fee for such a player when other names have been mentioned with cheaper price tags is in question. Henrik Larsson, Louis Saha and Mark Vidkua are three other names that United are believed to be interested and if West Ham won't budge on their £10million asking price then Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to try his luck with one of these names.

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