West Ham United looked at the Italian market to bolster their attack in the last transfer window and ended up signing Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo.
The Hammers could have also added Piotr Zieliński to their squad had they managed to convince him.
Il Mattino have a piece on the Poland international, discussing the possibility for his country to eliminate Argentina from the World Cup today. The outlet also focusses on the 28-year-old’s future at the Serie A side.
The attacking midfielder’s deal expires in 2024 and includes a salary of €7.3m per year. The Naples club want to offer him a new contract, which will include a lower fixed fee and bonuses linked to Champions League qualification.
Luciano Spalletti’s side wouldn’t have been in this position had the Hammers sealed the player’s signing in the last window.
Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis had ‘authorised West Ham to negotiate’ with the Pole in the summer, but the deal did not take shape because he demanded a €5m per year deal, likely after tax, from David Moyes’ side.
Should Zieliński make the same demand from Napoli to sign a new contract, it will not be accepted. Without an extension, it is possible that he could be sold next summer.
If this were to happen, West Ham could be given a new opportunity to land Zieliński. Il Mattino state the Polish midfielder is worth not less than €30m.
