Hammers eye Italian starlets

Nani: Italian interest

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West Ham are checking on Italian-based starlets Ayub Daud and Andrea Mei, skysports.com can confirm.

It has emerged that the Hammers are keeping close checks on Juventus youngster Daud and Mei, who is with Inter Milan.

West Ham's interest in Daud has emerged after rivals Tottenham were very strongly linked with his services in the Italian press.

The 19-year-old forward was the star of the recent Viareegio Cup - one of the most high-profile youth tournaments in Europe.

The Somalian-born ace is now catching the attention of a number of clubs and his agent, Ulisse Savini, has confirmed that he is yet to sign a professional deal with the Turin giants.

Interest

Savini confirmed to skysports.com that West Ham were one of the clubs looking at Daud, but denied that Tottenham had been in contact.

"I have never talked with Tottenham about this player," he told skysports.com.

"At the moment, there are three club with Daud on their list of targets - Wolsburg, Villarreal and West Ham."

Daud is now set for talks with Juve, but Savini admitted it was far from certain that he would be staying.

"Daud is a Juventus player, but he does not have any contract with Juve so the player could leave the club at the end of the season," he continued.

"In the next few days I will be talking with Juventus about the player, it is for sure that Daud will sign for a big club - but which one I can't say.

"I have to talk with Juventus and we know other clubs want him."

Savini confirmed that West Ham's sporting director Gianluca Nani was interested in Daud and Inter defender Mei - who is also very highly rated in Italy.

"About West Ham, this situation is this - I am linked with the sporting director Nani, they have told they are interested in Daud and in Inter defender Andrea Mei.

"It is normal that they would be looking at young stars like this, no matter where they are from."