Not before time. After all of the rumours concerning a left back, right back, hugely expensive (and unattainable) goal keeper plus half a dozen youngsters in midfield, most had been wondering what West Ham plan to do with the improvement to a non-existent forward line. Wherever the money comes from, Antonio and Ings have to be replaced in the next six weeks. Heading into a season with Niclas Fullkrug alone is unthinkable.
From Italy this morning comes news of a centre-forward under both West Ham and Brentford’s consideration. Getfootballnewsitaly.com leads with:
*“WEST HAM AND BRENTFORD ASK INFORMATION FOR ANDREA PINAMONTI“:*
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A 26 year-old striker with 50 goals in 204 Serie A appearances for Sassuolo having spells at Inter Milan and Genoa. Rated at €15 million by Transfermarkt, Pinamonti seems an affordable centre-forward journeyman who has never quite achieved his potential to become a supreme goal scorer. He seemed to hit the heights early, captaining Italy’s u20 side and hitting four goals in the 2019 FIFA under 20 World Cup.
Either one ‘still to be coached to greatness’ or a ‘budget buy’ – depending on your outlook. Having spent last season out on loan he’s not a first choice at the Serie A side, so may well tick the final box of being ‘available’.
Interestingly, in their article, totalfootballanalysis.com described him as the ‘Scamacca successor‘ as he followed the moody number nine upon Scamacca’s leaving for – West Ham United.
Two footed, pacy and well capable of playing as a lone striker, Pinamonti earned a solitary call up for the senior Italy side but has drifted in and out of starting XI’s in the last couple of years. Sounds like a player looking for a home.