Source: Daily_Mail
Roma step up bid for West Ham's Valon Behrami
Top target: Roma want West Ham's Valon Behrami[LNB]Roma are stepping up their efforts to sign midfielder Valon Behrami from West Ham and could offer goalkeeper Doni or striker Stefano Okaka in exchange.[LNB]The cash-strapped Italians are confident that the Switzerland international wants to join them, but there is still a lot of bridges to cross before a deal can be struck.[LNB]Reports in Rome say the Serie A club's efforts have been hampered over their difficulties to arrange formal negotiations with the Hammers.[LNB]Roma first want to move out Brazil midfielder Julio Baptista - once on Tottenham's hit list - to Olympiakos. The priority is to clinch the signing of Argentina defender Nicolas Burdisso from Inter Milan for about £4million after a successful loan spell last season.[LNB]And next on the 'to do' list is reaching an agreement for former Lazio player Behrami.West Ham are willing to listen to offers, but Roma would ideally like an initial loan deal with the option to buy next summer.[LNB]If such a deal proves unnacceptable, Rome newspaper Corriere dello Sport reports that they would be prepared to talk about a potential swap deal.[LNB]Brazil international Doni has already been offered to West Ham and other Barclays Premier League clubs this summer after losing his place at the Olympic Stadium to compatriot Julio Sergio.[LNB]Meanwhile, 20-year-old Okaka is open to a return to England after enjoying his loan spell at Fulham last season. Luis Fabiano still on Harry Redknapp's radar but Spurs boss rules out Raul move Lyon lead West Ham and Arsenal in the race for French striker Remy WEST HAM FC
