Reports in the Italian press say that Alan Curbishley sees the midfielder as the man to add something extra to the centre of the park at the London club.

Whether the necessary funds can be found to secure the player's services from Palermo remains to be seen. After last summer's spend, spend, spend approach, Curbishley has been told to tighten the transfer belt this time round.

A bid of around $8m (four million English pounds) is said to be enough to tempt Palermo into doing a deal.

It has been a difficult year for the Socceroo star, having seen a dream move to England collapse over the terms of the transfer - all beyond his control.

He looked certain to join Sven Goran Eriksson's Manchester City at the start of last season, only for the deal to be pulled at the very last moment.

It certainly won't go down as a year to remember but linking up with Neill at West Ham would certainly give him something to smile about.

He told Goal.Com: “This has certainly been the worst year of my career. However, difficult campaigns are the ones that help you grow. It has been a strange season for myself and the team. I have been happy in Italy and . . . there’s nothing to say I have to leave.”