Italian striker to be thrown Premier League lifeline by West Ham
Published:
West Ham have emerged as unlikely suitors for Southampton’s wantaway striker Dani Osvaldo.
The Italian striker landed himself in hot water after a training ground bust up with Jose Fonte last week and while a host of Serie A clubs are keen to take him back to Italy the Hammers are looking to extend his stay in England’s top flight.
Irons boss Sam Allardyce recently secured the loan services of Marco Borriello but with the rest of his strikeforce struggling for form – the Upton Park outfit have hit just 22 goals this season – the former Bolton manager will be keen to add to his squad.
Osvaldo is currently on a club-imposed suspension after headbutting Fonte in what some see as a desperate ploy to seal a move away from St Mary’s.
West Ham have been keen to take Osvaldo’s team mate Ricky Lambert on a permanent deal but with the Italian’s antics, the England man appears to be staying put.
As such, Allardyce has turned his attention to a loan move for the £15m Saints man in a bid to boost his side’s faltering Premier League survival bid.
A run of just one win in nine games leaves the Hammers stuck in the relegation mire level on 18 points with bottom club Cardiff and priced at 8/5 to fall through the trap door.
Odds of 13/2 say the east Londoners will finish the league as the bottom side but the capture of Osvaldo could see that price drift in the coming days.
The 28-year-old is said to prefer a move back to Serie A but a return of just three goals in 13 games for Southampton is unlikely to see initial interest from Juventus and Inter Milan result in any concrete offers.
Therefore, the chance to hook up with fellow countryman Borriello could help West Ham preserve their top-flight status and earn Osvaldo his dream move in the summer.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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