With Roma reportedly keen on Pastore, West Ham should turn to Turkish star

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Roma are reportedly now in the driving seat to sign Javier Pastore, so perhaps West Ham should instead focus on trying to sign Oğuzhan Özyakup.

West Ham United look to be failing in their pursuit of Javier Pastore from Paris Saint-Germain, after his agent revealed he and his client are in talks with Italian giants Roma instead, as reported by the Sun.

Marcelo Simonian is now trying to facilitate a move to Serie A for the 28-year-old, after seven seasons with PSG following a £35 million move from Palermo.

West Ham are trying to show their ambition this summer and have been linked with some high profile names, but it looks as though the £17 million-rated Pastore could slip through the net due to huge wage demands of £190,000-a-week – and so a move for a cheaper alternative in Oğuzhan Özyakup should therefore be considered.

The 25-year-old, who is a Dutch-born Turkish international, would demand considerably less wages than Pastore and would bring lots of energy and creativity to the Irons’ midfield, especially in the attacking areas.

He is also an effective dribbler with a very good level of footballing intelligence, and has endeavoured to model himself on Zinedine Zidane and Juan Roman Riquelme.

The Arsenal youth product has been playing for Beskitas since 2012, but now could be his time to return to England and give the Premier League a go.

Ozyakup is supposedly being tracked by Newcastle United and Everton so the Hammers would need to act fast – but perhaps the draw of attacking coach Manuel Pellegrini and a return to London could be enough to tip the balance for the player.