Over the last 24 hours or so, speculation linking West Ham United with one of the brightest young strikers in Italian football has gone into overdrive.
After Ange Yoan Bonny snubbed West Ham for Inter Milan, and after Parma made it clear that Zion Suzuki would not leave for a penny less than £30 million, the London Stadium outfit appear to have returned to Serie A hoping that the third time really is the charm.
A spokesman for the club’s owners told Hammers News on Tuesday that Graham Potter has not been warned to lower his ambitions in the transfer market, despite the likely arrival of 33-year-old free-agent Callum Wilson suggesting the opposite.
Former fans’ favourite Carlton Cole is urging the signing of a younger striker to go alongside the former Newcastle poacher.
And reports that West Ham United have their foot firmly planted onto the accelerator, going from zero to 60 in pursuit of Cagliari ace Roberto Piccoli, suggest that those in charge at the Premier League outfit share Cole’s desire for a goalscorer at the other end of the age spectrum.
West Ham United reportedly hold Cagliari talks over Roberto Piccoli
Roberto Piccoli only celebrated his 24th birthday in January.
A graduate of the Atalanta academy, the former Italy Under-21 international joined Cagliari on a permanent basis just last month. The Islanders triggered the £10 million purchase clause in his contract after Piccoli netted ten Serie A goals during a successful loan spell at the Unipol Domus.
Understandably, if Cagliari are to sell him on just four weeks after putting pen to paper, a sizeable financial windfall would be needed.
Tuttomercatoweb reported on Tuesday that West Ham were intensifying their chase, overtaking Portuguese powerhouses Benfica in the process. Gazzetta dello Sport have now provided an update of their own.
As of Wednesday morning, the Hammers are reported to have made another approach to Cagliari.
The Sardinia-based outfit, meanwhile, want to double their money and then some. Cagliari are reluctant to accept less than £25 million a month after signing Piccoli for around half that fee.
“If he leaves, it won’t be easy to replace him with a striker of equal calibre,” Sky Italia reporter Marina Presello tells Tutto Cagliari.
“Piccoli has also shown a keen eye for goal and has become a complete centre-forward.”
Former Atalanta and Italy U21 ace Piccoli scored five Serie A headers
The pick of Piccoli’s 10 league goals last term was probably his rasping winner away at Monza in January. As can be expected, given his 6ft 3ins frame, Piccoli is strong in the air too.
Half of his Serie A strikes came via the head.
Piccoli’s impressive returns were perhaps the biggest reason why Cagliari dodged the drop last season, finishing a mere five points above the relegation zone.
“There was the confirmation of Piccoli, who was one of the best [in Italy] last year,” former Islanders hitman Sandro Tovalieri tells Tutto Cagliari.
“Piccoli has proven [himself] to be a very good striker.”
“Piccoli did well,” agrees David Suazo, another ex-Cagliari forward. “He was asked to play up front alone, and he fought for every ball. As a result, he lost a bit of composure in front of goal.
“But he also scored ten in Serie A; A good haul.”
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