West Ham yesterday told Chelsea to forget any hopes of signing Paolo Di Canio after the club made a £4 million bid for the Italian striker.

Paul Aldridge, West Ham's managing director, said: "There has been an inquiry, but we would like to strongly reiterate that he is not for sale."

Di Canio was regarded as a massive gamble when Harry Redknapp signed him for £1.7 million in January 1999 following an 11-match ban for his infamous push on referee Paul Alcock. But the Italian has been a big hit at Upton Park, scoring 16 Premiership goals in his first full season at the club.