Atalanta are closing in on a deal to sign striker Gianluca Scamacca from West Ham United.
Scamacca, who joined West Ham last summer in a £30.5million move, has had a difficult debut season in England.
A combination of injuries and lack of form resulted in the 24-year-old only making 16 Premier League appearances last season, scoring three goals.
Atalanta have beaten fellow Serie A club Inter Milan to Scamacca’s signature having offered a better financial package.
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Scamacca arrived at the London Stadium last summer with a big reputation after scoring 16 goals in 36 Serie A appearances for Roma the season before. However, the frontman struggled in his first season in England and routinely found himself in and out of the side.
La Gazzetta dello Sport published an interview with Scamacca in July which many interpreted as a message to his hometown club Roma, who were also interested in resigning the Italian striker.
He said: “Roma is home for me and (Francesco) Totti is my idol as a child and what player in the world wouldn’t dream of being coached by (Jose) Mourinho? I am convinced that Mourinho would stimulate me and with him, I would improve even more.
“If I had to return to Serie A, it wouldn’t be because I failed in England, that’s not the case. Simply because it would be an unmissable opportunity. No, it wouldn’t even be a step backward for my career: our league remains one of the best.”
Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund is due to be unveiled by Manchester United today after the clubs agreed a deal worth €75million plus €10million in add-ons forward for the Denmark international.
West Ham are next in action against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in their final pre-season game today.
GO DEEPER
All roads lead to Roma: Does Scamacca already have one foot out the door?
(Photo: Getty Images)
