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Report suggests West Ham scouts watch Napoli’s Champions League game; is Gabbiadini on the radar?

Football Soccer - Benfica v Napoli - UEFA Champions League group stage - Group B (REUTERS)
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West Ham United are looking to bring a new striker into the club over the January transfer window.

Portuguese news outlet A Bola are reporting that the Hammers sent scouts to watch Benfica’s Champions League game at home to Napoli last night, with Manolo Gabbiadini rumoured to be the reason for the West Ham scouts’ attendance at the match.

Slaven Bilic’s men have been woeful so far this season, and currently sit just one place outside of the relegation zone in 17th place in the table.

Football Soccer - SSC Napoli v FC Dynamo Kyiv - Champions LeagueManolo Gabbiadini in action

They have the joint second worst defensive record in the division, combined with the sixth lowest goal tally, and the worry for West Ham fans is that there are so many areas of the pitch that need improving.

The 25-year-old Italy international was tracked the Hammers in the summer (Evening Standard), but a move eventually failed to materialise.

Football Soccer - SSC Napoli v FC Dynamo Kyiv - Champions LeagueGabbiadini looks dejected

The report from A Bola claims that there were scouts from all over Europe in attendance at the Estadio da Luz, but did not clarify any specific targets for the clubs’ scouts.

After the performances of Simone Zaza so far this season, however, it is unlikely that West Ham fans will be overjoyed at the prospect of another unproven Italian striker arriving at the club in January.

Tottenham's Eric Dier in action with West Ham United's Simone Zaza West Ham United’s Simone Zaza has been a monumental flop