LONDON (AP) _ West Ham is in talks with Inter Milan over a loan deal for Brazil striker Adriano.
``The possible deal is in its early stages and money has not yet been discussed,'' a West Ham statement said late Tuesday. ``The club are investigating the possibility of a loan deal at this stage.''
Inter wants Adriano to leave the club, preferably for a temporary period, after disciplinary problems and a loss of form last season. It signed Honduras striker David Suazo in June, while forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hernan Crespo are also at the club.
However, the 25-year-old Adriano does not want to go on loan.
``If I have to leave, I would only do it on a permanent transfer,'' Adriano said Tuesday. ``But my wish is to remain at Inter. I don't want to go on loan again.''
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Tuesday he had rejected the chance to sign Adriano, while Lazio has declared its interest in the player.
Adriano has scored 43 goals in 99 appearances for Inter, but struggled last season. He scored only five times in 23 games, and was criticized for his social life.
Inter disciplined him twice for partying into the early hours at nightclubs, while national coach Dunga dropped him in October, saying: ``He must change his behaviour away from the pitch.''
Adriano has scored 25 goals in 37 internationals.
