West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Hammers say no to Pazzini

11 Dec 2008 - 14:07:08

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West Ham United have rejected claims that they are keen to sign Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola was reported to be keen to land a player who he worked with during his time as coach of the Italy Under-21 side.

The former Atalanta marksman's future at Fiorentina is the subject of much speculation in Italy as he remains behind the likes of Alberto Gilardino and Adrian Mutu in the pecking order.

But Hammers director of football Gianluca Nani has denied reports that the Premier League club are weighing up a January swoop.

"These days there are many things coming from Italy that I get calls about," he is quoted as saying.

"The truth is that Pazzini does not interest us. He is absolutely a player that does not enter our plans."

Meanwhile, Nani has rejected further suggestions that the Hammers would be willing to use summer signing Valon Behrami as a makeweight in any deal to sign Pazzini.

"Behrami is a very important player for us and he is not for sale," he added.

"The story is totally unfounded and Behrami, without a shadow of a doubt, will remain with West Ham.

"I will also say that that our intention is not just to bring Italian players to England."