According to The Daily Star, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce encouraged defender Winston Reid to decline any transfer to Arsenal or Manchester United and stay in West Ham.

The New Zealand centre back is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a whole host of clubs in the Premier League, most notably, Manchester United and Arsenal. Hammers boss, Allardyce has been left frustrated by Reid after the club had failed to agree terms over a contract extension. Reid is yet to agree to a bumper deal on his current contract and is looking to depart the London side once his contract runs out.

But big Sam, however, hopes the promise of a new stadium will entice the New Zealand international to stay at the club and snub all other moves.

“I just hope, with us doing so well this year, looking up, and us moving into the new stadium, is there a bigger or better club around than West Ham for Winston Reid? I’m not so sure there is, you know,” Allardyce told Talksport.

Allardyce mentioned that negotiations have been lengthy and cannot see the end of them

“It’s probably the longest negotiations I’ve ever seen with a player,” he continued. “Whether we can get there in the end, I’m not sure. That’s in the chairman’s hands, not mine.”

West Ham owners have not been shy to say they will splash the cash in order to bring in new talent to the club and to keep what they have got:

"Our aim is to bring in more world-class players that can play in the 'West Ham Way'.

"We have broken the club's transfer record twice in the last three years and we will continue to make significant funds available to strengthen the playing squad this summer as we build a team that will befit our new home.

"We will also endeavour to hang onto our best players as, too often in the past, previous Boards have sold our most promising players."

It seems as though it has just gotten more difficult to sign the defender who has recently returned from injury. Hopefully a move will be made for him soon before a breakthrough in contract negotiations is made at West Ham. Arsenal need a defender and Reid would certainly be a good addition.