Palermo admit Behrami liking

Behrami: Ongoing speculation

Serie A outfit Palermo admit they are keen on Valon Behrami but insist no transfer talks have been held.

The Italians were strongly linked with the West Ham midfielder in January, with tentative approaches made.

The Hammers made it clear they were unwilling to do business, though, and that situation is unlikely to have changed.

The Premier League strugglers have endured grave financial difficulties this season, and may need to sell in the summer, but they are reluctant to part with their prized assets.

Palermo accept as much, despite being keen to bring former Lazio ace Behrami back to Italy, and accept there is little chance of landing the Switzerland international unless West Ham alter their stance.

Contact

"I understand that the British press are keen to report the Palermo interest in Behrami, because of the contacts made in January, but at present there is no open discussion," Palermo's sporting director Walter Sabatini told TRM.

"Behrami is a player we like, I like him very much.

"Our coach (former Lazio boss Delio Rossi) knows him well, as he helped him to grow, and he also likes him.

"At the moment there is nothing, in the sense that nothing is concrete, but Behrami is a player we like."