WEST Ham had started the Jordan Rhodes transfer auction after having a bid – reported to be �3.2 million – turned down by Huddersfield Town.

Former Ipswich youngster Rhodes is one of the hottest properties in the January transfer window, even though his manager Lee Clark insists he is not for sale.

But Town’s divisional rivals West Ham have started the bidding war and could even increase their offer to closer to �4 million, according to reports.

While Blues fans have long argued whether Rhodes should have been sold at all, they could console themselves a little with the fact that Ipswich would net around 10% of any fee following an agreement in his sale to the Terriers in 2009.

Rhodes’ form this season, 20 goals in 20 games in League One, has surely attracted the attention of a number of Championship clubs and it will be interesting to see whether any Premier League sides make a bid.

Meanwhile, speculation has surfaced that another former Ipswich striker, Darren Bent, could also be on the move with Liverpool said to have made an enquiry for the Aston Villa man.