Gianluca Scamacca has no choice but to quit West Ham United after what a teammate said

We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…

Frank McAvennie believes Gianluca Scamacca has no choice but to quit West Ham this summer amid speculation linking the striker with a move to Roma.

Calcio Mercato reported on 5 July that Scamacca, 24, wants to move to Roma this summer to be nearer to his family in the Italian capital, where he was born.

It is understood that West Ham is negotiating a deal with the Serie A club but Il Messaggero reported on Sunday (9 July) that Jose Mourinho is becoming impatient with his side’s failure to strike a deal for Scamacca, as well as some of his other targets.

Scamacca endured a tough debut season at West Ham after signing from Sassuolo last summer and scoring just three goals in 23 Premiere League appearances.

The Italy international, who didn’t play in the league between January and the end of the season due to injury issues, was also criticized by teammate Michail Antonio before the Conference League win, where Antonio suggested Scamacca doesn’t play the way David Moyes wants his strikers to play.

McAvennie didn’t like Antonio’s outspoken verdict on Scamacca but he does agree with what the Jamaica international said.

“I think it’s a good deal for all parties,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.

“He knows the league and at Roma, Tammy Abraham is injured and that’s why they’ll want Scamacca.

“Mourinho doesn’t normally sign players who won’t fit in his team so he’ll be looking at Scamacca and getting him playing the right way with the players around him. He’ll certainly get that at Roma.

“He’s got to go because he’s not going to get in the West Ham team.

“Let’s be honest, Michail Antonio had a bit of a pop at him and even though he might be right in what he’s saying, you can’t do that. He can’t hold up the ball but you should support your teammate.

“I get what Antonio was trying to say but it doesn’t matter because it came across as him having a go at him. It was wrong and it’ll be good for Scamacca to move on, I think.”

In other West Ham news, a £ 35 million twist has emerged in the Hammers’ bid to complete this defensive signing.