Nigel Reo-Coker is expected to be left out of the West Ham United team to play Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round today, fuelling rumours that he is to leave Upton Park this month. The midfield player has been unsettled since he learnt of interest from Arsenal in the summer.

Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Bolton Wanderers and Aston Villa are among the clubs interested in the £10 million-rated midfield player, but West Ham are unwilling to let him leave so he may be forced to put in a transfer request.

His club are thought to be interested in Alexei Smertin. The Dynamo Moscow midfield player appeared under Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, at Charlton Athletic. “The players I bring in will be starting in the team,” Curbishley said. “Nobody can have any complaints if players come in and displace them. The people who came in the summer did not put pressure on those here.”

Charlton have made an offer for Greg Halford, the Colchester United right back, and inquired about Nigel Quashie, the West Bromwich Albion midfield player. But they are likely to miss out on signing Anthony Stokes — the Arsenal forward is expected to join Sunderland.

Charlton are also interested in Ben Thatcher, the Manchester City defender. Villa have asked about taking Shaun Wright-Phillips, the winger, on loan from Chelsea.

Liverpool hope to wrap up the signing, possibly on loan, of Javier Mascherano from West Ham this weekend, although uncertainty remains over whether he can play for a third club this season. There are also reports about a permanent deal for Mascherano of £15 million.

Tottenham, Villa and Newcastle United are expected to step up their interest in Darren Bent after the striker was effectively put up for sale by Charlton. Bent will not return from a knee injury for another five weeks. “It sounds like his price has dropped because £7 million isn’t going to touch the sides for Bent,” Alan Pardew, the Charlton manager, said.

Tottenham are among the clubs chasing Anthony van den Borre, the RSC Anderlecht right back. West Bromwich have rejected an improved bid from Tottenham for Curtis Davies for £5 million, having signed the defender for £3 million from Luton Town, who have a 15 per cent sell-on fee. Tottenham have offered £3 million plus Calum Davenport and Wayne Routledge in exchange for Ashley Young, the Watford forward. Liverpool have also inquired about Young.

Watford have signed Will Hoskins, the forward, and Lee Williamson, the midfield player, from Rotherham United for a fee that could rise to £1 million. Blerim Dzemaili, the FC Zurich defender, has been offered to Bolton Wanderers. Wigan Athletic have signed David Unsworth from Sheffield United on a free transfer until the end of the season.

Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt have signed extended contracts with Reading. Doyle, the Ireland striker, has signed until 2010. Hunt, the winger, has signed until 2009.

Luis Figo is expected to sign for Al Ittihad. The midfield player’s contract at Inter Milan ends in the summer.