Italian journalist Nicolò Schira has reported that West Ham are interested in signing Torino striker Andrea Belotti, with Marko Arnautović set to leave for China.
These reports have been confirmed by ExWHUEmployee, who has claimed the 25-year-old Italian is on West Ham’s list of replacements if a deal for Maxi Gómez doesn’t come to fruition:
Yes if Gómez falls through he is on the list of potentials https://t.co/Rjhhjpquoy
— ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) July 5, 2019
It is safe to say this piece of news has excited West Ham fans, who would love to see the payer, rated at £31.5 million on Transfermarkt, come to London Stadium.
Across Serie A and Coppa Italia, Belotti notched 17 goals and 39 appearances for Torino last season, as they finished three points outside the Europa League places, but have since been promoted to the competition after AC Milan were banned, as reported by James Horncastle.
As great as the deal would be for the Hammers, this would likely be a very difficult deal to get over the line, though that hasn’t prevented many West Ham fans from getting excited about the prospect of seeing him in claret and blue.
Some have even said they would prefer the Italy international to Gómez, whose signature West Ham are currently working relentlessly to secure, as reported by ExWHUEmployee. The reliable insider claims the current situation with the Uruguayan is “him still favouring staying in Spain but us attempting to convince him”.
A selection of Twitter reaction to the Belotti interest can be found below:
If its him or Gomez Im happy either way
— Finnish Hammer (@AlmostaTrueFan) July 5, 2019
He’s class better be our first option
— (@oliverrrwhu) July 5, 2019
Sack Gomez off rather belotti
— Adam Jessop (@adammmm_1998) July 5, 2019
Belotti is class! He’s 25 what an insane alternative to have this is more like it West Ham! Either one of these would be a madness which is exactly why I doubt it’ll happen
— Brad Palmer (@Mr_BA6) July 5, 2019
All for Belotti
— georgewbyer (@georgebyer_) July 5, 2019
What a signing that would be
— Laurence Cooper (@laurence_cooper) July 5, 2019
This would be sick
— Casey Newson (@casey_newson) July 5, 2019
Please please please
— Mr Hyde (@Mr_Hyde91) July 5, 2019
Loves this!!
— Ricky Forrest (@rickwhufc) July 5, 2019
Would absolutely love belotti
— Charlie Ives (@CharlieIves92) July 5, 2019