West Ham  have offered Scott Parker a new contract worth £20million over five years as proof that they intend to build their future around him.

Chairman David Sullivan caused a stir last season when he claimed the entire squad would be up for sale apart from Parker, who was an inspirational force as the Hammers escaped relegation at the end of a dismal campaign.

The 29-year-old's dynamic midfield form made an impression on England boss Fabio Capello, who selected Parker for his preliminary 30-man World Cup squad, although he was one of the seven who missed the final cut for South Africa.

t also prompted interest from other managers, including Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill and Tottenham's Harry Redknapp, who are able to offer European football in the campaign ahead.

Sullivan, who claimed last week that Villa did not have enough money to sign Parker, would like to see his captain put his name to a new five-year contract worth £75,000 a week, even though there are still three years left to run on his current deal at West Ham.

Parker, who started his career at Charlton, joined the Hammers for £7m from Newcastle three years ago at the height of the club's lavish transfer policy under the doomed ownership of Eggert Magnusson and Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

Of all those bought at high prices and rewarded with huge salaries by the Icelandic regime, Parker's commitment and value has seldom been in question.

West Ham supporters adore his combative style, voting him 'Hammer of the Year' for the last two seasons, and new manager Avram Grant stressed his determination to keep him when he took over from Gianfranco Zola this summer.

'We want to progress with good players,' said Grant. 'It is very important we have good experienced players and there is no doubt that Scott Parker is one of them. He is a good footballer and has quality.'

The approach of Sullivan and co-owner David Gold, who took over in January, has been to try and cut costs at a club laden with debts of around £100m, but they have shown a willingness to invest in key players.

West Ham made audacious but unsuccessful attempts to lure Joe Cole and Thierry Henry to Upton Park and bid £11m for Nice's in-demand striker Loic Remy, only to be asked to pay two-thirds of the fee up front, something they were not willing or able to do.

The transfer looks unlikely to be completed unless the French club relent on these demands.

The Hammers have also made an enquiry for Valerenga striker Mohammed Abdellaoue. The 24-year-old, valued at £2m, is the top scorer in Norway and Bundesliga side Hoffenheim have already agreed a fee with the Norwegian club.

Grant has so far recruited former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Frederic Piquionne from Lyon and Pablo Barrera from Mexican club Pumas during this transfer window