Palermo have admitted that they are looking to make a summer signing of West Ham star Valon Behrami. The Switzerland international has been an impressive performer since arriving at Upton Park in 2008 and Manchester City have been linked with a £15million bid.

The Italian club hope that the connections of their sporting director, Walter Sabatini, could broker a deal, with Zamparini telling stadionews.it: "We're trying to take him.

"The negotiation is difficult and complicated, especially for the salary the player receives in the Premier League, but Sabatini is his friend and let's see how it goes. Behrami is a very good player."

But Zamparini would not want to complete any deal until the summer transfer window.

He added a few hours after his initial interview: "We still like the player but it is unlikely that he will arrive.

"In any case, we will try and buy him but not now because it would upset the balance of the team.

"The interest is real but it is for June. Now I would not even take him for free."