West Ham have registered their interest in signing Cagliari striker Roberto Piccoli, according to reports in the Italian media.

TMW claim that the Hammers have made a “strong move” for the 24-year-old, who has only recently joined Cagliari on a permanent basis.

Piccoli was on loan from Atalanta before Cagliari paid €12.5m to keep him earlier this month, having scored 11 goals in 40 appearances for them last season.

However, the Serie A side are hoping to make an instant profit by offloading him before the transfer window closes.

How much will Piccoli cost?

Cagliari have reportedly set their asking price at €30m (£26m). He does have other suitors, including Como and Benfica, but West Ham are currently regarded as the favourites.

Como are believed to be exploring moves for other targets, while Benfica don’t have the funds needed to match Piccoli’s valuation.

In terms of the Irons, journalist Giuseppe Boi has suggested that the London club are willing to go as high as €25m (£21.8m) to sign the Italian, which suggests there is room for negotiation between the two teams.

West Ham fans have been left scarred by past transfers

The interest in Piccoli will spark bad memories about previous Italian forwards who have made the switch to the London Stadium.

Simone Zaza had an ill-fated six-month spell with the Hammers, while Gianluca Scamacca only lasted a year before he was sent back to Italy. Piccoli’s rather average scoring record suggests that he wouldn’t have much better luck if he is snapped up.

At the moment, reports of the club’s interest in the striker are coming from Italian sources only, and it remains to be seen if insiders with closer connections to West Ham do back up these claims.

In other news, West Ham are told by Chelsea that a transfer target is not available on loan