Behrami: Staying put
West Ham’s technical director Gianluca Nani has denied that the club are gearing up to sell Valon Behrami in January.
The Swiss international only arrived at Upton Park in the summer from Lazio, but now their city rivals Roma are being linked with a move.
Behrami’s agent has claimed that contact has been made, but Nani has insisted that the club have no intentions to sell - despite off the field concerns of owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
“I am tired of responding to questions on Behrami,” Nani stated.
“I repeat - Behrami is not for sale and Roma have never asked for the player.
“Before you start any kind of transfer, Rome must speak with West Ham, which has not happened. Behrami is our player, we have high hopes for him so I see no reason to sell.
“Even if an offer arrived from Rome for €50million (?39million) we would not sell. It is not a matter of numbers but of will on our part to keep the player.”
Osvaldo denial
Nani also distanced the club from a bid for Fiorentina star Pablo Daniel Osvaldo.
The 22-year-old Argentine has been linked with a move to East London and although Nani admits he is a ‘great striker’, he insists that no move is planned.
“We do not want a team that is too ‘Italian’,” Nani told Viola News.
“Our plan is to build players at home, taken when they are still young.
“Osvaldo is a great striker but is already an important player and falls outside the type of player we are looking for - because we are covered in that role.”
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