West Ham co-owner David Sullivan wants Matthew Upson to return a favour by putting pen to paper on a new contract at Upton Park.
Upson has just over a year remaining on his current contract and the Hammers are offering an extension, but with no pay rise if reports are to be believed.
Upson currently earns £65,000-a-week, but he has been linked with former club Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham, all clubs that could offer him a salary increase.
Sullivan, though, hopes Upson will sign as a token of gratitude after he allowed the England international to leave Birmingham for West Ham in 2007.
"We all really want Matthew to stay," Sullivan said in The Sun.
"I did him a favour letting him leave Birmingham and I hope he can return it."
Upson has remained coy on his plans and in mid-February was only prepared to say that this summer's World Cup is his immediate focus.
