West Ham target Andrea Ranocchia could struggle to make impact

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Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia is reportedly on the radar of West Ham.

According to Calciomercato, the Hammers are interested in the experienced 30-year-old and his contract at the San Siro expires in the summer.

The centre-back has failed to make a single appearances this season for Inter despite making the bench in most games and his exit in the near future appears to be on the cards.

But the Italian would be a risky signing for Manuel Pellegrini’s side for a number of reason.

Ranocchia previously had a loan spell in English football with Hull City for the second half of the 2016/17 season and ended up suffering relegation with them.

He did impress in moments with his aerial ability and quality on the ball, but couldn’t stop Hull from dropping down to the Championship.

The defender has since been a fringe player at Inter and there has to be concerns over match fitness if he does end up making the switch to the London Stadium.

West Ham may need a centre-back reinforcement in January to help cover for Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna, as alternate options Fabian Balbuena and Winston Reid are both out injured.

But there is no guarantee Ranocchia would hit the ground running at West Ham and he appears to be on the decline.