Villa manager Martin O'Neill is contemplating whether to firm up his interest in the Hammers player.

West Ham are not looking to offload Ferdinand, the brother of Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand.

The fact Ferdinand's agent has not been in contact with the club looking for a new contract has been interpreted as a signal that the player may look for fresh pastures.

But West Ham would be unwilling to let Ferdinand go on the cheap. And, if reports that Villa are preparing to make a £6million bid prove correct, the figure will fall well short of their valuation of the player.

O'Neill is keen to bring in a new centre-back following the departure of Olof Mellberg to Juventus and with Curtis Davies not likely to have recovered from his ruptured Achilles until September-October time.

That leaves the former Celtic boss with only two experienced centre-backs in Martin Laursen and Zat Knight.

A source close to the Hammers said: "West Ham don't want Anton to go but his agent has not been in looking for a new contract so something might happen.

"They certainly would not let him go for £6million and would not be interested in any figure under £8million."

West Ham's determination to get a substantial price for Ferdinand may be swayed by the fact they had to pay Birmingham £9million for Matthew Upson 18 months ago.