Hammers target told to stay in Italy

7:57am Friday 16th May 2008

WEST Ham target Davide Lanzafame has been urged to snub the Hammers and stay in Italy.

The Juventus striker has attracted the attention of a number of clubs, including Serie A giants Lazio, after scoring ten goals on a season-long loan deal at Serie B outfit Bari.

But the Irons remain in pole position to capture the talented 21-year-old on a loan deal for next season.

It what would be the first signing of the club's new technical director Gianluca Nani, who begins his role in June.

However, Siena are also hoping to lure the Italy U21 international on loan for next season.

And the Tuscan club's managing director Giovanni Lombardi Stronati has told Lanzafame he would be much better off continuing his footballing education in his homeland than heading for a big-money move abroad.

"The real problem is that Lanzafame has received a resounding offer from West Ham," Stronati told Mediagol.

"Here, it must be for the player to decide what is best for him - to remain in Italy and grow gradually, as I believe Siena will allow, or to earn more money immediately with major risks.

"Young people in Italy perhaps are convinced there will be more opportunities abroad, but that is not always the case."

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