West Ham United are interested in signing Napoli striker Leonardo Pavoletti according to reports emerging from Italy.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers are turning their attentions to the summer transfer window after a torrid and hugely disappointing season.
Slaven Bilic has already been heavily linked with a host of moves for the likes of Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford, Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe.
His side has failed to live up to lofty expectations this season after a stunning farewell campaign at the Boleyn Ground.
Owners David Sullivan and David Gold were full of promises last summer boldly telling supporters they would spend over £35 million on a marquee striker signing.
In reality they ended up with flop Simone Zaza – who had his loan from Juventus cancelled just six months in with no goals and barely a shot on target – and Jonathan Calleri, who has one goal to his name all season.
With Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho spending more time on the treatment table than the pitch yet again this season it has left the Hammers woefully short of options and quality up front.
And according to Tuttomercatoweb Bilic is considering a move for out of favour Napoli forward Leonardo Pavoletti, but faces competition from Marseille.
Pavoletti celebrates scoring for Genoa earlier this season
The 28-year-old is an old fashioned style centre-forward in the Andy Carroll mould and comes to life inside the penalty area.
He is also well known for his ability to get on the end of his teammates’ crosses and finish off chances in the six-yard box.
After notching 23 goals in 44 games for Genoa, their Serie A rivals Napoli splashed out £15 million on him back in January.
Marseille also want Pavoletti
But he has played only three times since alerting Bilic to his availability.
According to Tuttomercatoweb the Croatian might not have it all his own way to land the twice-capped Italy international, though, as Marseille are said to be interested in pairing him with former Hammers star Dimitri Payet in Ligue 1.
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