Gianluca Scamacca has strongly hinted at a desire to return to play in Italy amid strong links with a move to AC Milan and Roma.
Milan have been repeatedly linked with a move for Scamacca this summer as they look to reinforce the centre-forward role and give Olivier Giroud some help after a season in which he worked overtime.
The 24-year-old chose to depart Sassuolo last summer and join West Ham in the Premier League for a fee worth €36m plus €6m in potential bonuses (via Wiki).
However, he had a tough first season due to injuries and there is already talk of a potential move back to Serie A, with the Rossoneri and Roma – the team he supports and played in the academy at – strongest linked.
Scamacca was interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport about what his future holds and how he feels after spending a spell on the sidelines.
“On Monday we had a friendly and I played 45 minutes. It was the first part on the pitch after three months of inactivity and meniscus surgery,” he said.
“It was fantastic to be back on the pitch and I felt excellent. I’ll be in top form at the start of the season. After last season’s physical problems, I’m due some luck. If I’m fine, I’ll score 20 goals.
“Maybe people don’t know it, but I played all year with a broken meniscus. Then at a certain point it was impossible to continue and I ended up under the surgeon’s knife. Until March, I played 27 games, scored 8 goals.
“It could have gone better, but even worse… The Conference League was a great joy for everyone. It was our passion from the beginning of the season.
I didn’t play in the final against Fiorentina, it’s true, but of course I feel the Conference League is mine as well. I scored 3 goals in 7 games in the competition.
“Nostalgia? I’ve always had it and I always will have it. But… If I were to return to Serie A, it wouldn’t be because I failed in England, which isn’t the case.
“It would simple be because it would be an opportunity that cannot be rejected. No, it wouldn’t even be a step backwards for my career. Our league remains one of the best.
“Back to Roma? I’ve always thought with my heart and I will continue to do so in the future too. And you know what the two colours of my heart are. But now I’m a West Ham player and, despite all the rumours, I feel good here too.
“For me, Roma is home. And Totti, my idol as a child. And what player in the world wouldn’t dream of being coached by Mourinho? I am convinced that Mou would stimulate me and with him I would improve even more. We spoke with Pellegrini, he is a friend. Let’s say we joked about it a bit.”
Italian strikers (maybe even players in general) just can’t make it abroad.
Hard to really say. When Italy had the best league in the world, obviously the best Italian players didn’t even consider leaving.
And it was the same with the 00-10 generation. Best players from Milan, juve ,inter, roma wouldn’t leave for any club.
Did scamaca fail? He just said he was playing injured for most of the season. Is that failure? Seems like bad luck 2 me.
Versti and dollar are doing ok tho
Um
Gianluca Vialli
Gianfranco Zola
Luca Toni
Graziano Pelle
Non striker
Marco Veratti
Thiago Motta
Enzo Maresca
Amedeo Carboni
Marco Simone
He wants Roma so.lets move on
Broken meniscus hurts like hell. I am struggling with it myself right now. It’s almost impossible to run. I’m of course not as well trained as he is. But it is not easy playing if your knees feel unstable. Based on that I must say that 8 goals is a good amount from him.
why not try sign matteo retegui
italian passport
maybe 17-20 mil enough for him
The Scamacca story is being driven by the Italian media. West Ham have no intention of letting the boy go (unless there is a ridiculous offer), and want to give him at least another season to come good in the Premier League. Scamacca showed enough to warrant being given time and has admitted himself that he was carrying an injury for most of last season. If the Italian media are desperate to see him, they should buy a ticket for the London Stadium – they’ll get to see him as much as they like then.