Fulham striker Bobby Zamora could be heading for a shock departure from Fulham in January following a gradual disintegration in his relationship with manager Martin Jol, Goal.com can reveal.
The England striker has had a series of disagreements with Jol over the manager's decision to rest him from some Europa League matches and is also believed to be unhappy about the progressive overhaul of the team's tactics, which is centred on phasing out a system with a support striker and introducing a Dutch-style 4-3-3 formation.
But the 30-year-old's options are likely to be reduced as the player is settled in London and does not want to leave the south-east.
Championship promotion-chasers West Ham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace are among those closely monitoring the situation.
"Jol has a poor relationship with Zamora and it is no secret that they do not see eye to eye," a source told Goal.com. "Fulham could be willing to listen to offers for him but it depends on what happens with the other forwards and where they are in the table in January.
"If Fulham are struggling with around 16 points, they are more likely to trust in the players who have helped keep them up quite comfortably in the last three seasons. If they have around 22-26 points, there could be some high-profile changes and you will see a gradual break-up of what is an ageing squad."
Although Zamora has maintained his position as Fulham's centre-forward under three different managers and his consistent club form was recognised with a second full England cap against Sweden on Tuesday night, he is 31 in January and the west London club could be tempted into selling if they receive an offer that matches their £5 million valuation.
Zamora has two-and-a-half years remaining on his £45,000-a-week contract and it is believed that he might be willing to drop down a division to spearhead the revival of an ambitious Championship club.