According to reports, West Ham United have shown interest in the in-form Italian talent Mateo Retegui. However, the club should be wary of making the same mistake they did with Gianluca Scamacca, writes the WHU. West Ham United would be wise to retain Scamacca and nurture his potential as a striker, given the significant investment of £35m made in him. Considering the magnitude of the amount, especially for a club of their stature, it would be prudent to avoid the risk of another transfer misstep and deal with the Scamacca situation instead of seeking new alternatives.
Retegui, who currently plays for Boca Juniors in Argentina, has garnered attention as one of the most promising players in Europe. He made a strong start to his international career by scoring two goals for Italy in his first two appearances, including a debut goal in their 2-1 loss to England on 23 March. Retegui’s impressive scoring record while on loan at Tigre in Argentina, with 29 goals in 51 games for the club, has further boosted his profile.
Many clubs, including Inter, AC Milan, and Lazio in Italy, as well as Atletico Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt, have shown interest in the player due to his impressive performances for both his club and country. However, the Premier League’s financial strength has caused concern for Italian sides, who fear being outbid for the player’s services. West Ham United has reportedly shown interest in the player and is the first English club to do so, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The player’s price has already reached up to €20 million.
Although West Ham United could benefit from signing Retegui, they must be mindful of the pitfalls of such a move, given Scamacca’s struggles to adapt to the London Stadium. Retegui’s transfer could also be complicated by rumors that he wishes to return to Serie A, following his £35.5m move from Sassuolo last summer, which has not been a success so far. Scamacca has made just 11 Premier League starts and scored three goals, with David Moyes questioning his physical fitness. As a result, former
Journalist Dean Jones has suggested that Scamacca is unsure about his future at West Ham, and Moyes has yet to demonstrate full faith in him. While West Ham will need to acquire another striker, with Michail Antonio’s departure in the summer imminent, and Retegui seems like a promising candidate at £17.5m, it remains a highly risky move. The signing of Scamacca last season is a cautionary tale, as he has faced considerable challenges. Given West Ham’s history with high-priced forward acquisitions, it would be unwise to dismiss £35m quickly and squander another £17.5m on a player who has yet to prove himself at the highest level of club football.