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West Ham move for Alessandro Matri of AC Milan, say sources

West Ham United have lined up a move for AC Milan striker Alessandro Matri, sources have told ESPN FC.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is desperate to bring in a new striker before the close of the transfer window with the likes of Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate on the sidelines.

The Hammers were hoping to sign Simone Zaza on loan from Juventus, but the Italian champions pulled the plug on the deal after agreeing to sell Fernando Llorente to Sevilla.

It means West Ham have been forced to switch their attentions elsewhere and Matri is on their radar.

Matri is out of favour at Milan and has spent the last two seasons on loan at Fiorentina, Genoa and Juventus.

The recent arrival of Mario Balotelli on loan from Liverpool had pushed Matri even further down the pecking order at the San Siro and Milan are ready to let the forward move on.

West Ham have now opened talks with Milan over a season-long loan for Matri as they look to finally end their search for a new striker.