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Manuel Pellegrini has already placed a focus on improving his West Ham defence since his arrival and it seems his work is not yet complete.

The Hammers have already drafted in Ryan Fredericks, Lukasz Fabianski and Issa Diop to the London Stadium but Pellegrini is seeking further defensive additions ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Calcio Mercato state West Ham are keen on the services of Genoa defender Armando Izzo, who has a whopping €45m release clause in his contract.

West Ham, unsurprisingly, are not prepared to match that clause and are instead said to have offered €8m plus bonuses for the 26-year-old Italy defender.

Uncapped by his nation, Izzo has spent the past four years with Genoa and was previously banned from football for six months in 2016 due to match fixing.

He made 15 Serie A appearances for Genoa last season, who finished the campaign in 12th position – just six points above the relegation spots.