Reds in for Hammers ace and other red-hot gossip

(06-12-2010) Liverpool will look to beef up their midfield by making a play for West Ham skipper Scott Parker in January. The Reds, however, will face competition from Tottenham for the signature of the England international. The 30-year-old Parker has previously played for Charlton, Chelsea and Newcastle in his career. Elsewhere, Manchester United have reignited their interest in defender Ryan Shawcross who is in the frame for a return to the club he left in 2007 to join Stoke; Bayern Munich are ready to swoop for Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, with the Serb yet to pen a new deal at Stamford Bridge; Fulham are ready to take on Aston Villa in the bidding for Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane; and Aston Villa are keen to sign former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse from Greek side Panathinaikos.