Inter Milan have raised their bid for Gianluca Scamacca to about £25million with West Ham holding out for at least £30m for the Italy forward.
Scamacca joined the Hammers for £35m only a year ago but will be allowed to return to Italy on a permanent deal.
Though Roma showed interest earlier in the window, last season’s Champions League finalists have moved to the front of the queue.
Inter are desperate to sign at least one new forward after their move to sign Romelu Lukaku permanently from Chelsea – following his loan spell last season – collapsed at the 11th hour, with the Belgian now a target for Inter’s Serie A rivals Juventus.
Scamacca is now high on Inter’s list but is unlikely to be the only forward they pursue, with Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun another who has many admirers at the club.
The 24-year-old a disappointing first season at West Ham, which was disrupted by injuries, but he remains highly rated in his homeland and has 11 senior international caps, though he has yet to score for Italy.
Scamacca made only 11 starts in the Premier League and scored just three times across a campaign where he struggled with knee trouble.
Roma showed a strong interest earlier in the window and it is thought Scamacca fancied the switch, yet Jose Mourinho’s side were keen only on an initial loan deal, whereas West Ham have their sights on a permanent transfer.
Scamacca has shown himself more than capable of scoring in Italy, first impressing on loan at Genoa in 2020-21. He then enjoyed a breakout campaign at Sassuolo the following season, with 16 goals in 36 league games.