Gianluca Scamacca admits he dreams of working under José Mourinho and believes a return to Serie A would not be a step back in his career: ‘Rome is my home.’
The Italy international has been targeted by several Serie A clubs, especially Roma, Milan and Juventus, but West Ham are unwilling to send him back to Italy on loan.
The Giallorossi are looking for a new centre forward to replace Tammy Abraham who will remain out of action until June 2024 with a knee injury.
“Rome is home to me. Francesco Totti has been my idol since I was a kid and which player wouldn’t dream of being coached by Mourinho?” Scamacca told Gazzetta.
“I am convinced he would motivate me and I would improve even more.”
So, is Roma his favourite destination if he returns to Serie A?
“I’ve always made decisions with my heart and will continue to do so,” said the striker.
“You know the colours of my heart, but right now I am a West Ham player and happy here.”
The interview was published in Wednesday’s printed edition of the pink paper (page 6). Scamacca added that he spoke about a possible move to the Stadio Olimpico with his friend and Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini.
“We have spoken and joked a little about it,” he admitted.
Scamacca joined West Ham from Sassuolo in a €36m deal last summer but spent the second part of the campaign on the sidelines due to a meniscus injury.
“If I return to Serie A is not because I’ve failed in England. Simply, it would be an irrefutable chance. It wouldn’t be a step back, our league is one of the best,” said the striker.
“Perhaps people don’t know it, but I played all season with a broken meniscus, at some point, it was impossible to continue and I underwent surgery.
“I scored eight goals in 37 games until March. It could have been better, but even worse. The Conference League was our target since the start of the season. I didn’t play in the Final against Fiorentina, but of course I feel I also won the trophy having scored three goals in seven games.”
What has surprised him the most about the Premier League?
“More intensity. Pace is always high, there is no stop. This style makes you improve mentally and now I feel stronger, more intense. Erling Haaland? He is a top player, but honestly, the one who has impressed me the most is [Kevin] De Bruyne, he sees impossible things.”
Scamacca man has recently returned to action and is ready to start the new season, either at West Ham or in Serie A, while a potential offer from the Saudi Pro League would not tempt him.
“It’s still too early for me. Arabia is becoming a power, but now I must remain in Europe and try to write a piece of history,” he said.
“I played 45 minutes in a friendly on Monday. It was my first appearance after three months on the sidelines and the meniscus surgery. It was fantastic to return to the pitch and I felt great. I will reach peak fitness by the start of the season. If I am fit and I am convinced I will be, I will score 20 goals. I worked hard in Sardinia with double training sessions. I went more to the gym than to the beach.”