WestHamFirm

hemelhammer · Tue May 13, 2008 6:43 pm Hammers close on Juve starlet

West Ham United are set to clinch a loan deal for Italian starlet Davide Lanzafame.

The 21-year-old striker is a product of Juventus' youth system and made his first-team debut for them last season.

But this term he was loaned out to Bari in Serie B where Juve legend Anontio Conte is coach.

And Lanzafame did not disappoint with ten goals which earned him a call-up to the Italian Under 21 squad.

Ronaldo comparison

Indeed Conte feels the player has all the ability in the world - even likening him to Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Lanzafame has improved tactically," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He is explosive, he sniffs the goal, and imposes his speed outside the area. If he improves and learns he can become like Cristiano Ronaldo."

West Ham are now set to agree terms with Juve for a season-long loan.

The deal is a clear indication of the influence of The Hammers' new sporting director Gianluca Nani.

The Italian was brought in to oversee transfer policy and he has wasted little time in sealing a deal for one of his country's brightest young prospects.

www.skysports.com

Sam1 · Tue May 13, 2008 7:06 pm

Sounds like a good prospect and Nani seems to know a lot of names. Sign him up Curbs.

Peter Parka · Tue May 13, 2008 8:01 pm

Sounds promising though this could be just a chance to advertise him to the likes of Manure and Cheatski.

Sam1 · Thu May 15, 2008 3:38 pm

WEST Ham are expected to complete the loan signing of Italian Under-21 star Davide Lanzafame from Juventus this week.

The 21-year-old forward is ready to join the Hammers on a season-long loan deal and will become the first arrival under new technical director Gianluca Nani.

Nani was brought in to oversee transfer policy and he has wasted little time in completing the signing one of Italy's brightest young prospects.

Lanzafame has spent the current season on loan at Bari in Italy's Serie B, scoring 10 goals in 33 games and earning a call-up to his country's Under-21 squad.

His impressive form this year has attracted interest from some of Italy's biggest clubs and drawn praise from Bari coach Antonio Conte, who believes the youngster can become his country's answer to Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Lanzafame has improved tactically," said Conte. "He is explosive, he sniffs the goal, and imposes his speed outside the area.

"If he improves and learns he can become like Cristiano Ronaldo."

Lanzafame had previously been linked with summer moves to Lazio and Palermo, but Nani has swooped to bring the Juventus youth team product to West Ham.

The Hammers have agreed terms with Juventus over the arrangement, which will see the player move to Upton Park on an initial loan with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of next season.

Lanzafame will finalise the move when the Serie B season finishes this weekend after rejecting previous overtures to concentrate on helping Bari's promotion challenge.

"I want to take things one step at a time. At the end of the championship I will speak with my family and make a final decision," Lanzafame said.

"The aim is to put on a display next season, when at the age of 22 it will be important to acquire continuity."

The deal is a clear indication of Nani's growing influence at Upton Park, and the Hammers technical director is also tracking Gibraltar defender Joseph, according to reports in Spain.

The 23-year-old, who plays for La Balona in the Spanish third division, had been widely expected to join Cadiz.

But Joseph's agent claims that West Ham are interested in taking the player to Upton Park this summer.

East London Advertiser

Gioseppe · Thu May 15, 2008 7:20 pm

I really don't know anything about this two players. What I know is that we lack flair and I know that Nani knows that too.

Sam1 · Tue May 20, 2008 2:37 pm

West Ham's bid for Juventus starlet Davide Lanzafame could be set for failure because of Amauri's impeding move to Turin.

Juve are set to sign Brazilian-born striker Amauri, but as part of the deal Palermo want 50 per cent ownership of Lanzafame.

Palermo are hoping to land half of Lanzafame, as well as getting Antonio Nocerino and nearly £10million for Amauri.

Previously Palermo wanted Raffaele Palladino, Sebastian Giovinco or Vincenzo Iaquinta - but they were all vetoed - but Lanzafame admits he will go where Juve tell him.

The Italian Under 21 international was on his way to Upton Park on loan for the whole of next season, which Juve were more than happy with.

Lanzafame spent last season on loan at Bari where he scored ten-goals, which attracted the interest of The Hammers and a deal was brokered by their new sporting director - Italian Gianluca Nani.

But now Palermo's request could very well deny The Hammers what would have been a major coup, for one of the most highly-rated young strikers in Europe.

"I'm a Juve player and my future depends on the Bianconeri," he told Corriere dello Sport.

"Palermo? They are a prestigious club and for me it will be a fascinating and new experience.

"Bari for me has been a really beautiful adventure. I'm sorry it ended because I felt really good. I hope one day to be able to wear again this jersey."

skysports

Gioseppe · Tue May 20, 2008 6:46 pm

OK let's find somebody else to fantasise about.

Sam1 · Wed May 21, 2008 7:41 pm

Amauri’s supposed move to Turin has become something of an exhausting soap-opera, with almost every day their being a new twist and turn.

Negotiations have been on-going for several weeks now, but it seemed earlier in the week that a deal had finally be agreed upon, which would have seen Juve pay €12 million as well as hand over Antonio Nocerino and half of Davide Lanzafame’s contract.

However the 21-year-old Lanzafame, who is regarded as one of Italy’s brightest young talents, and has even been compared by some to Man Utd’s Cristiano Ronaldo, has revealed that he would favour a season-long loan move to English side West Ham instead.

"Palermo and West Ham are both huge clubs," stated the striker.

"But at my age I think it would be beneficial to have an experience abroad, which would enhance me not only as a footballer, but also from a linguistic and lifestyle point of view."

West Ham would like to have the youngster in their squad next season to offer competition to the likes of Dean Ashton, Bobby Zamora, and Carlton Cole.

Goal.com

Sam1 · Fri May 23, 2008 10:57 pm

Italian starlet Davide Lanzafame has revealed that he could still join West Ham.

The Juventus striker was lined up for a loan move to Upton Park next season after he completed a successful campaign at Serie B side Bari.

However, Palermo have now requested that Lanzafame is included as part of the deal which will take Amauri to Turin.

Now the player is waiting on Juve to decide on his fate - but the player admits West Ham or Palermo would be good moves for him.

"I think both Palermo and West Ham could be for me two positive experiences", Lanzafame told Sky Italia.

"They are two important places, but the decision hasn't been taken yet.

"In the next few days I'll talk with Juventus and we will decide together the best solution, also because one day I want to come back to Bianconeri."

Italian Under 21 international Lanzafame is rated as one of the best young striking prospects in Serie A and it looked like new Hammers sporting director Gianluca Nani had achieved somewhat of a coup by securing a deal.

But it now remains to be seen whether he will spend next season in South London or Sicily.

skysports

Pick us Lanzafame

Sam1 · Tue May 27, 2008 8:56 pm

The Juventus-owned Lanzafame is regarded as one of the most promising young players in Italy, and has been compared to Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo by some members of the Calcio community.

Last week it was agreed that Lanzafame would be moving to Palermo in a co-ownership deal as part of the exchange that will see Rosanero hitman Amauri end up in Turin.

However, La Stampa says that Lanzafame has now rejected a move to Palermo, and instead wants to join Premiership side West Ham on-loan, where he has been offered €1m for the season.

"Palermo and West Ham are both huge clubs," stated the striker last week.

"But at my age I think it would be beneficial to have an experience abroad, which would enhance me not only as a footballer, but also from a linguistic and lifestyle point of view."

It is not thought that this development will have any bearing on the Amauri transfer deal, as Palermo have become sick and tired of what has become something of a soap opera. Amauri is expected in Turin today for a medical, and could complete his move within the next few hours.

Goal.com