West Ham United may challenge the England FA for former Roma sports chief Franco Baldini.

Baldini is wanted by Fabio Capello for his new England backroom team, but the Independent says he is also a candidate for the Hammers' newly-created position of technical director. AC Milan South American chief Leonardo is also on West Ham's shortlist.

West Ham are in advanced plans to appoint a technical director, with a background in European football, to work alongside manager Alan Curbishley and oversee the building of a new training ground and overhaul the club's medical and physiotherapy departments. The new man will also be expected to create a world-wide scouting network to rival that of Arsenal and Manchester United.