Scaloni deal could hinge on asking price

Lionel Scaloni has told Deportivo La Coruna he would like to make his loan spell at West Ham a permanent move this summer.

The Argentinian defender played 17 games for the Hammers this season, including an solid display in the FA Cup final, and has impressed manager Alan Pardew.

But any deal will be down to the fee Deportivo demand and they are expected to rate the 28-year-old at around £3m (€4.4m).

Scaloni left West Ham on Monday to join Argentina’s World Cup squad, with Upton Park officials insisting it was too early to determine whether he might return.

It seems, however, the South American’s chances of returning to West Ham are better than those of Israeli striker Yaniv Katan.

The 24-year-old has failed to win a place in the Hammers first team since joining from Maccabi Haifa in January, making only two starts in defeats by Portsmouth and Middlesbrough.

And he told newspaper Ha’aretz: “I am a West Ham player at the moment, and I have a contract with the club for another three seasons, but the manager has told me that I do not figure in his plans.

“So unless something changes and I am told that I can fight for a place on the team, I am finished with West Ham.”

The striker has set his sights on a return to Maccabi Haifa, and added: “Although I need a few days to think things over before making a decision, my first choice, without a doubt, is to return to Maccabi Haifa, the club where I grew up and the club that I love.”