David Moyes has said former West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang provided valuable information on new signing Gianluca Scamacca.

The Italian striker, 23, signed with West Ham from Sassuolo this summer after finishing second in the Serie A top goalscorers list last season.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Moyes said: "As for Gianluca, we've been watching him for some time and even considered going for him last January. He has a presence as a player with his size (6ft 5ins) and his ability to take the ball in, retain possession.

"We see him helping in maybe a different way to what we've had and his youthfulness means we know there is more room for improvement. It's very rare you can have a top striker at 23 years of age — but he is.

"We had great encouragement about him as well from our former player Pedro Obiang, who played with him at Sassuolo. He told us about his character and from what we've seen we've been really pleased although like all overseas players, they need time to settle in.

"I am sure we will be working hard in the transfer window right through to the final day. I still want quality rather than just numbers, though. It's not hard to sign players but more difficult to attract real quality."