Gianluca Scamacca would likely cost in the region of €50million
(Picture: Getty Images)West Ham are in talks with Sassuolo over a move to sign Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca.
The Hammers are yet to lodge a formal bid for the forward, with the Serie A side thought to want in the region of €50million for a player who is under contract until the summer of 2026, but negotiations over a deal have taken place.
The 23-year-old scored 16 goals in 36 league appearances for Sassuolo last term, making his Italy debut in September and featuring in the side that drew 0-0 with England at Molineux last month.
Signing a centre-forward is David Moyes’ main priority as the Hammers ramp up preparations for the new season. The Scot is desperate to bring in major competition for Michail Antonio, having tried and failed to do so since Sebastian Haller was sold to Ajax in January 2021.
The need has been amplified further by the departure of Andriy Yarmolenko - nominally Antonio’s deputy last term - at the end of his contract.
West Ham failed with a bid for then Benfica striker Darwin Nunez in January this year, before the Uruguayan forward eventually joined Liverpool, and the club are willing to back Moyes with a marquee arrival in the position.
Chelsea forward Armando Broja had been considered Moyes’ leading target but a number of other Premier League clubs, including Everton and Newcastle, are interested. The Albanian’s future is expected to be resolved in the coming days after he was left out of Chelsea’s squad for their preseason tour of the US.
