West Ham coach Gianfranco Zola is hopeful they can wrap up the transfer of Inter Milan midfielder Luis Jimenez in the near future. The Chilean winger is set to join the Hammers on a one-year loan deal with the option to make the transfer permanent.

When asked about Jimenez, Zola told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I hope it is completed soon. He is one of those lads who plays the kind of football I like.

“In England it’s not easy to sign non-European players but I think these problems can be solved.”

Jimenez has reportedly been granted a work permit for a switch to Upton Park, despite not playing the required number of matches in the last two years in Europe.

The South American was limited to only two Serie A starts last season, as injury prevented him from forcing his way into Jose Mourinho’s squad.

The 25-year-old joined Inter in the summer of 2007 on loan from Ternana.