West Ham United are reportedly ready to launch a £4million bid for Rangers keeper Allan McGregor as a possible replacement for England No.1 Robert Green, who is a target for Sunderland.

McGregor, 28 in January, is in the form of his life at present and was the Gers star man as he kept VfB Stuttgart from filling their boots as they cruised to a 2-0 win at Ibrox in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.

His heroics prompted former Arsenal playmaker Alexander Hleb to claim the highly-rated shot-stopper would not look out of place playing for Manchester United or Manchester City.

However, according to the Scottish Sun Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is already in the hunt and could try and lure the Scot to Upton Park in the New Year, as he prepares to lose Green as well as other star names.

As well as his keeper, Zola is also fearful that Matthew Upson will be sold to Manchester City, while Liverpool are thought to be sniffing about Carlton Cole, with West Ham's financial difficulties well documented.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is said to be pondering a big-money move to bring Green to the Stadium of Light with current No.1 Craig Gordon set for a lenghty spell on the sidelines with a broken arm.

Should that move materialise then Zola is ready to use some of the cash to bring McGregor south of the border, with Rangers in no position to turn down a substantial offer due to their current financial plight.