West Ham line up Southgate bid
West Ham manager Harry Redknapp is preparing to put in a bid for Aston Villa's England centre-half Gareth Southgate.
Redknapp has been trailing the transfer-listed Southgate for several weeks after selling Rio Ferdinand to Leeds for £18million.
He is now said to be ready to test the Midlands club's mettle with a £6million bid.
Redknapp told the London Evening Standard: "Villa's asking price of £10million for a player of 30 is way too high.
"I rate Gareth highly, both as a player and a professional, and it's time we put in an offer."
Southgate put in a transfer request last summer after claiming he was disillusioned by the club's apparent lack of ambition.
Chelsea expressed an interest but were put off by the asking price. However, Redknapp appears undeterred, and is also still keen on Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso.
"I wouldn't mind having both Southgate and Amoruso at Upton Park," said the Hammers boss. "Lorenzo has a presence about him. He's strong and powerful."
