Bitter Gianluca Scamacca blow as West Ham finally close in on his replacement

Add as preferred source on Google

There is bitter irony this evening as West Ham close on a replacement for Gianluca Scamacca a year after selling him to Atalanta.

West Ham United are this evening closing in on the signing of German striker Niclas Fullkrug.

The 31-year-old has completed the first part of his West Ham medical.

And as long as there are no issues with part two of that medical, the Euro 2024 star will be unveiled as a new West Ham player on Monday or Tuesday.

That will coincide, almost to the day, with West Ham’s decision to sell Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta.

Fans were divided when West Ham gave up on Scamacca after just one season.

The Italian was shipped out in a deal worth up to £27.5m on August 7th last year.

Hammers boss David Moyes was criticised over his handling of the 6ft 5in striker, who became the latest in a long line of strikers to flop – for one reason or another – in east London.

Scamacca certainly was not the first and – as Danny Ings after him has proved – he wouldn’t be the last.

Bitter Scamacca blow as West Ham close on replacement

Scamacca’s move to West Ham simply did not work out as he or West Ham hoped.

Although he did score some very important goals for the Hammers in Europe as they ended a 43-year trophy drought.

Scamacca struggled initially on returning home to Italy. And it was seen as a vindication of sorts for West Ham’s decision to offload the tattooed star.

He turned things around, though, and not only ended the season with 18 goals and seven assists, but yet another European trophy.

That included six goals – some of them absolute barnstormers – during Atalanta’s unforgettable run to winning the Europa League when they became the only side to beat Bayer Leverkusen last season.

There were suggestions Scamacca did not care enough or had an attitude problem at West Ham.

But Scamacca has since opened up on his mental health struggles at West Ham when dealing with the injuries and illness that blighted his time at the London Stadium.

So he will be in the thoughts of Hammers supporters given news out of Atalanta this evening.

Because Scamacca has suffered a serious knee injury as West Ham finally close in on his replacement.

As Fullkrug nears, Scamacca suffers serious knee injury

As West Ham put the finishing touches to a deal to finally sign his replacement, it has been revealed Scamacca has suffered a serious knee injury in a pre-season clash with Parma.

Scamacca spent several months out with knee issues during his time with the Hammers.

The former West Ham man was carried off with what is being reported as a very serious looking knee injury just days ahead of Atalanta’s European Super Cup clash against Real Madrid.

Scamacca collided with the on-rushing Parma goalkeeper and seemed to catch his studs in the turf, falling awkwardly.

It was immediately obvious it was serious as he held the outside of his left knee. And the likes of Gianluca Di Marzio are suggesting it will not be good news.

It’s a real shame to hear Scamacca has suffered a potentially serious blow.

And it just goes to show the risks clubs take when investing sizeable fees in forwards in a bid to find that vital piece of the team jigsaw.

West Ham fans will be hoping Fullkrug can finally buck the trend of east London striker flops.

But spare a thought for Scamacca.

Once a Hammer, always a Hammer as they say.

READ ALSO

EXCLUSIVE: West Ham issue transfer update and it’s Wan-Bissaka next

Club issues statement and director speaks on Fullkrug

Star who was Moyes’ biggest fan says players are talking about Lopetegui