Prodigious Sassuolo centre-forward Gianluca Scamacca is on the cusp of penning a long-term contract at West Ham United. According to the Neroverdi CEO Giovanni Carnevali, the clubs have a ‘total agreement’ over the Italian’s switch to the Premier League.
In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Carnevali confirmed that West Ham agreed to pay Sassuolo an initial €36m plus €6m add-ons to sign Scamacca. An agreement with the Hammers also features a 10% sell-on clause, meaning the Neroverdi can make further profit in the future.
“There’s an agreement with West Ham for €36m fee plus €6m add-ons and 10% sell-on clause,” Carnevali Carnevali said, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano. “I’m sure he will do great things. He’s a huge talent and a very good guy.“
Carnevali’s statement has effectively put a long-running transfer saga involving Scamacca and Paris Saint-Germain to bed. The defending Ligue 1 champions have been heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old this summer.
Talks between Sassuolo and PSG have never gathered momentum despite the French side’s ambition to take Scamacca away from Serie A. The towering striker will instead join West Ham on a multi-year contract to finally give David Moyes a true No9 to work with.
Not since the departure of Sebastien Haller had the Hammers had an out-and-out striker. Michail Antonio excelled as a makeshift centre-forward last season. However, Moyes has been desperate to sign an ‘old school’ striker for over 12 months.
Scamacca could prove a useful addition for West Ham next term. In addition to his well-documented poaching ability, the Italy international boasts tremendous aerial strength and is well-versed in playing with his back to goal.
Following an impressive season-long loan at Genoa in 2020/21, Scamacca went from strength to strength last season. In 36 Serie A appearances for Sassuolo, he notched up 16 goals, earning a permanent place in Italy’s national team in the process.
Scamacca’s departure for the Premier League could hinder Napoli’s bid to sign Giacomo Raspadori. Luciano Spalletti’s men have earmarked the Sassuolo phenomenon as a long-term replacement for Lorenzo Insigne. But with Scammaca out, they could be reluctant to let another standout forward leave.