AS Roma are reportedly in advanced talks with West Ham United over a loan-to-buy deal for striker flop Gianluca Scamacca.
According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, AS Roma are closing in on a deal to sign West Ham United forward Gianluca Scamacca on an initial loan with an option to buy.
The Hammers are on the back foot this summer, maybe due to the mega-money sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal, with a number of gaping holes in their squad still in desperate need of addressing. There are players that, like Rice, wish to leave the London Stadium, as the wantaway players look to seal an exit before the campaign kicks off.
One of those angling for a move is Scamacca, who has been very open in his desire to join the Serie A giants this summer, openly admitting he wants to return to the Italian capital. Roma are firm admirers of the striker and consider Scamacca the perfect summer addition, despite the striker having only joined West Ham from Sassuolo last summer.
The 24-year-old failed to live up to his hefty price tag during his debut campaign with the East Londoners, managing just three goals in 16 Premier League appearances. To be fair to the 28-capped Italian international, his season was disrupted by a number of niggling injuries.
🚨🔥 #ASRoma are in advanced talks with #WestHam to sign Gianluca #Scamacca on loan with buy option.
‼️Understand that – despite reports – #Inter have only asked for info on him, but the 🇮🇹 ST is not a priority.
🔥 #WHUFC and the 🟡🔴 want to finalize the agreement soon. 🐓⚽ pic.twitter.com/z538ZrmCjZ
— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) July 30, 2023
Roma are still working on a replacement for Tammy Abraham for this upcoming season after the English striker went down with a torn ACL in the final match of the 2022/23 season. With the club facing Financial Fair Play sanctions and the former Chelsea striker struggling to replicate his magical first season, speculation held that Roma would offload Abraham to meet their €30 million FFP threshold.
Although Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto was able to match that FFP criteria through several smaller sales, Jose Mourinho still wants a new striker to bolster his striker department. The Special One has Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata on his wishlist, but former Roma academy product and West Ham striker Scamacca quickly emerged as the Giallorossi’s top target.
However, it wasn’t long before talks hit a roadblock. Wranglings over a permanent fee and the Irons’ need to secure a replacement had put a potential transfer in jeopardy.
But there may be some optimism on the horizon for the Giallorossi after Calciomercato revealed West Ham are prepared to let the 24-year-old leave this summer, and Pinto is expected to fly to London this week to discuss a loan deal with an option or obligation to buy for Scamacca with the Hammers.
Now, Galetti has doubled down on the claims, suggesting Scamacca is not a priority for Inter Milan, with Roma in advanced discussions to secure a loan-to-buy deal to land their top target. This entire saga has dragged on for far too long this summer, and it would be best for all parties concerned if it could finally just come to an end.
