Atalanta agree deal to sign West Ham's Gianluca Scamacca
Atalanta have reached an agreement with West Ham United to sign Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca, according to widespread reports in Italy and England. The deal, believed to be worth an initial €25 million plus add-ons, will see the 24-year-old return to Serie A on a permanent basis after a single season in the Premier League. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue, with the player keen on the move.
Scamacca's arrival at the Gewiss Stadium is part of a significant attacking overhaul for La Dea, who have already secured the permanent signing of loanee El Bilal Touré this summer and are poised to lose Danish forward Rasmus Højlund to Manchester United. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini has been seeking a physical, traditional centre-forward to lead his line, a profile Scamacca fits. The transfer represents a swift return to Italy for the Rome-born striker, who joined West Ham from Sassuolo last summer for a fee in the region of €36 million.
His time in London proved challenging, as he scored eight goals in 27 appearances across all competitions but struggled to consistently secure a starting role under manager David Moyes. A knee injury suffered in March further curtailed his impact. West Ham’s decision to sanction a sale at a loss indicates a desire to move on and reallocate funds, with the club having already signed Edson Álvarez and James Ward-Prowse this window.
For Atalanta, the signing is a calculated gamble on recapturing Scamacca's best form, which was on display during his final season at Sassuolo where he netted 16 Serie A goals and earned a call-up to the Italian national team. His familiarity with the league and playing style is seen as a major advantage. The move also allows Gasperini to deploy a more direct tactical option, complementing the versatility of players like Ademola Lookman and Teun Koopmeiners.
The completion of this deal is expected to hasten the departure of Duván Zapata, whose contract situation has been a lingering issue for the Bergamo club. For Scamacca, it offers a crucial opportunity to rebuild his career and stake a claim for a place in Italy's Euro 2024 squad ahead of next summer's tournament in Germany.
