Sky reporter reveals "West Ham bid" is "under consideration", it'd be a huge coup - opinion

West Ham are lining up a €40m (£34m) bid for Sassuolo and Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca.

That’s according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, who took to Twitter to share news of the Hammers’ interest in the forward and other potential deals at the London Stadium.

He tweeted: “West Ham bid of €40m + add-ons for Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca under consideration. PSG bid €35m + add-ons – but are now close to signing Hugo Ekitike. Broja still a WHU target. If deals get agreed with both, final decision rests with David Moyes.”

Although the reported fee is quite high, finding an ample alternative to the seemingly irreplaceable Michail Antonio – still West Ham’s only senior striker – would be priceless in Moyes’ eyes.

This 23-year-old, who enjoyed something of a breakout season in 2021/22, could be the answer.

The Italian bagged an impressive 16 goals across 36 league appearances last term, and this reliability not only in front of goal but actually being on the pitch will be a welcome addition due to Antonio’s chequered injury history.

This consistency led to a deserved 7.03 SofaScore rating for the campaign, and his performances helped Sassuolo to a comfortable mid-table finish. In fact, this rating was second only to Domenico Berardi amongst his team-mates.

Although Scamacca’s hulking 6 foot 4 frame makes him a huge aerial threat, he is renowned for an incredibly deft touch and ability to link up the play despite this size. He fits the bill as the perfect Antonio alternative, and his goalscoring prowess only boosts this claim.

Former Italy under-21 coach Luigi Di Biagio dubbed the striker “very strong”, adding that the Sassuolo marksman “can become a very high-level centre-forward”.

Di Biagio went on to laud the