It is no major secret that West Ham United are on the hunt for a new centre-forward addition, having been left with current number 9 Michail Antonio as their only, recognised centre-forward over the last 18 months or so, following the exit of club-record flop, Sebastien Haller.

While the Jamaica international has held the fort fairly impressively - bagging ten league goals in each of the past three seasons - his inability to provide a consistent goalscoring threat across an entire campaign has no doubt been an issue.

The Hammers' European adventures - which will continue next term - have only heightened the need for an additional forward, with it foolish to think that Antonio can shoulder the goalscoring burden for another season across all fronts.

One name who had previously emerged as a potential target last summer was England international Tammy Abraham, with David Moyes and co seemingly primed to pluck the towering striker from London rivals, Chelsea.

As it proved, the Blues academy graduate instead went on to join Italian side AS Roma in a £34m deal, going on to show the Irons just what they had missed out on following a truly staggering debut campaign at the Stadio Olimpico.

Under the tutelage of serial-winning coach, Jose Mourinho, the 24-year-old went on to score 26 goals in all competitions for the Serie A side, helping the club end their lengthy barren run by claiming the Europa Conference League.

That form has seen him tipped with a return to the Premier League - amid reported interest from Manchester United - although as for West Ham it would appear that that ship has sailed, with reports that the Giallorossi have slapped a £100m price tag on his head.

Despite that setback, however, GSB could well have identified a suitable alternative this summer in the form of Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca, with the 6 foot 5 brute sharing a number of statistical and stylistic similarities with Abraham, as per FBref.

According to 90min, the London Stadium outfit have made contact regarding a potential deal for the 23-year-old - as well as that of teammate and compatriot Giacomo Raspadori - following what was a real breakthrough campaign for the imposing striker last time out.

Fresh from netting eight goals in 26 league games on loan at Genoa during the 2020/21 campaign - his first full season in the Italian top-flight - the former PSV youth product went on to net 16 league strikes for his current side in a blistering goalscoring spree, with such form reportedly sparking the attention of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Dubbed "complete" by Italy U21 coach Luigi Di Biagio, the £27m-rated ace has also forced his way into Roberto Mancini's plan at senior international level, featuring seven times for the Azzurri thus far.

Although it could take as much as €45m (£39m) to prise him from his homeland, the Hammers will not want to risk missing out on the £3.2k-per-week starlet as they did so with Abraham last year.

Like the Englishman, Scamacca is a towering and imposing presence in attack and one that would seemingly thrive in a Moyes system, with his height and finishing prowess offering a quality alternative to that of Antonio.

AND in other news, Moyes plotting move for “special” £45m “baller”, he’d be a “superstar” for West Ham