West Ham in for Adriano after Arsenal rejection

LONDON, Aug 29 (Reuters) West Ham United are negotiating a possible loan deal for Inter Milan's Brazilian striker Adriano, the Premier League club said.

Adriano, who had been offered to Arsenal according to the north London club's manager Arsene Wenger, has struggled at the Italian champions over the last two seasons.

''Following speculation in the press, West Ham can confirm we are holding talks with Inter Milan over striker Adriano,'' the Hammers said in a short statement on their Web site (www.whufc.com).

No figures were given ''as the possible deal is in its early stages and money has not yet been discussed. The club are investigating the possibility of a loan deal at this stage.'' West Ham are in the market for a striker following the departure of last season's saviour, Argentine forward Carlos Tevez, to Manchester United.

A loan move would run counter, though, to comments by Adriano in yesterday's Gazzetta dello Sport that he is demanding a permanent move, rather than a temporary switch.

Lazio coach Delio Rossi said he too was after the Brazilian, who is also a target for former club Parma.

''He is an important player, I hope he comes. But if he comes he must come with the right spirit,'' Rossi told Rai televsion after his side's 3-1 Champions League qualifying win over Dinamo Bucharest.

Arsenal's Wenger, who lost his captain and the club's top goalscorer when Thierry Henry left for Barcelona in June, said earlier yesterday he had turned down a loan move for the Brazilian.

Asked if Adriano had been offered to Arsenal, Wenger said: ''Yes. He is not needed. I was not out there (in the market) to take a striker on loan.

''If I find the right player with the right quality I will always take him. With Adriano they wanted to give you a player and also take one from your squad.

''It would mean losing a player and then get one in who you were not desperately wanting. It is nothing to do with the quality of Adriano.'' Arsenal have four strikers available with Dutchman Robin van Persie and Togolese partner Emmanuel Adebayor, new Croatia international signing Eduardo da Silva and Danish forward Nicklas Bendtner, back from a loan spell at Birmingham City.

Wenger also said German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann would not be leaving Arsenal and will challenge Spaniard Manuel Almunia for the number one spot when he recovers from an Achilles injury.

REUTERS BJR RK1053