West Ham are hoping to sign Amadou Diawara as a replacement for Pedro Obiang, according to reports in Italy.
Italian journalist Nicolo Schira reports that West Ham want Diawara but Napoli are reluctant to sell him this month.
Obiang is expected to complete a move back to Italy during the January window and Diawara was lined up as his replacement.
Pedro Obiang leaving?
Sky in Italy – via Sky Sports News – reports that Obiang is closing in on a move to Fiorentina.
The Equatorial Guinea international is keen on a return to Italy and Fiorentina are set to snap him up for £10m.
The 26-year-old has been at West Ham since summer 2015, when he moved from Sampdoria.
Since then, Obiang has played over 100 times for the Hammers, scoring three times.
This season, Obiang has featured 17 times under Manuel Pellegrini but has lost his starting spot in recent weeks.
Who is Amadou Diawara?
Diawara is considered to be one of the best young midfielders in Serie A at the moment.
The 21-year-old plays for Napoli in the Italian top division, managing 10 appearances this season.
The Guinea international sits deep as a holding midfielder and would be seen as a like-for-like replacement for Obiang.
According to Nicolo Schira, Napoli will demand €30m for Diawara. And Tutto Mercato Web reports that Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti has blocked the Irons’ approach.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
