West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca could be set for a return to Serie A just one year on from leaving Sassuolo for the Premier League, with AS Roma and Inter battling for his signature.
As reported by Calciomercato, the Italy international has garnered interest from Serie A and is expected to depart the London Stadium, though his future is far from certain as suitors look to convince West Ham to lower their asking price.
The Hammers shelled out €36 million to bring the striker in from Sassuolo last summer and are keen to recoup as much as possible, but it is felt that their stance may be softening somewhat.
AS Roma looking to bring Scamacca home
After losing Tammy Abraham to an ACL injury on the final day of the season in May, and Andrea Belotti failing to register a single Serie A goal, Roma are in desperate need for a striker to partner Paulo Dybala up front.
Rome-native Scamacca spent time in the Giallorossi’s youth academy and is a boyhood fan of the club, whilst coach Jose Mourinho and sporting director Tiago Pinto are keen to bring him back.
The 24-year-old was not called up for West Ham‘s 3-1 preseason friendly defeat to Rennes and has now removed the East London club from his Instagram bio, as Roma step up their pursuit of him.
Pinto has been in lengthy negotiations with the Hammers and is confident of reaching an agreement that would see Scamacca return to the Stadio Olimpico on an initial loan, for a fee of €4-5m.
The deal would include an obligatory €22m clause for a permanent transfer at the end of the season, provided that Scamacca reaches a certain number of appearances and Roma secure qualification for the Champions League.
West Ham, meanwhile, are keen to remove the Champions League qualification stipulation and ensure that a deal is based solely on Scamacca‘s appearances, but Pinto is due to travel to London to negotiate a compromise and secure a deal.
Inter poised to swoop
Alternatively, Calciomercato also report that Inter are ready to take advantage and move in for the former Genoa loanee, as they look for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku.
The Nerazzurri hold an advantage over Roma in that they are willing to buy Scamacca outright immediately, and have submitted an offer worth €22m.
With West Ham looking for €30m, this bid has been rejected but there is optimism that an agreement for an initial €25m, plus a further €5m in bonuses, can be found. Such a deal would be more favourable to the Hammers than Roma‘s offer and should Inter step up their pursuit, they could wrap up a transfer this month.
Meanwhile, a switch to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza would see the attacker join up with close friend and former Sassuolo teammate Davide Frattesi, with the pair growing up in Rome together and representing the Italian national team.
Given Scamacca has reached personal terms with Roma already, Inter are keen to go all out to move ahead of the capital club and snatch him from under their noses.
Scamacca mustered just three Premier League goals in 16 appearances as his maiden season in England was marred by injury and poor form. He had previously netted 16 in 36 for Sassuolo in 2021-22.
