West Ham United and Stoke City chase Napoli striker

Stoke city have had a €25 million offer for Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini rejected by the Italian club, and West Ham United are poised to join the chase for his signature, according to reports in Italy.

Italian news outlet Tuttomercatoweb claim that the Potters lodged a bumper offer for the talented 24-year-old but were knocked back by Napoli, as the Serie A runners-up are holding out for €30 million.

It is well known that West Ham are in the market for a top-quality striker this summer, and Tuttomercatoweb suggest that the Hammers could throw their hat in the ring and join the race to sign Gabbiadini.

Gabbiadini signed for Napoli in January last year from Sampdoria -- though Juventus held a 50 per cent stake in the player and were therefor intitled to half of the €13 million fee. Last season the 6-cap Italy international's first-team opportunities were limited by the outstanding form of Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuaín, and the player is thought to be considering his options.

Whether or not Stoke return with a new offer to meet Napoli's valuation remains to be seen. And West Ham are believed to be currently pursuing AC Milan's Colombian marksman Carlos Bacca, but if a deal for Bacca cannot be brokered, they are likely to turn their attention to Gabbiadini.

Having already had a €30 million bid rejected for Marseille's Michy Batshuayi, Gabbiadini's price tag wouldn't prove prohibitive for the Hammers.