Transfer Centre

Transfer rumours: Scamacca to Inter, Goncalves to Villa, Guaita future

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 August 2023

Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer rumours, including Gianluca Scamacca to Inter Milan, Pedro Goncalves to Aston Villa and Vicente Guaita's future.

Inter Milan have reportedly made a verbal proposal for West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca.

The 24-year-old endured a miserable first season in the Premier League following his arrival from Sassuolo, managing a mere three goals in 16 top-flight outings.

A season-ending knee injury also hampered Scamacca's debut year at the London Stadium, and he is already being linked with a departure from the Europa Conference League winners.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Inter have now made their first move for Scamacca and have tabled a verbal bid of €20m (£17.1m), but it is unknown if West Ham will be prepared to accept.

The Italian giants have apparently turned their attention to Scamacca after being priced out of a move for Arsenal's Folarin Balogun, who is valued at £50m by the Gunners.

Scamacca previously hit an impressive 16 goals in 36 Serie A games for Sassuolo during the 2021-22 campaign, and his West Ham contract runs until 2027 with the option of an additional 12 months.

Pedro Goncalves in action for Sporting Lisbon on September 13, 2022 © Reuters

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have supposedly conceded defeat in their efforts to bring Portuguese attacker Pedro Goncalves to the club from Sporting Lisbon this summer.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster posted another impressive set of numbers in the 2022-23 campaign, coming up with 20 goals and 15 assists in 51 games in all tournaments.

Goncalves memorably scored a stunning 46-yard goal against Arsenal in the Europa League last term, and he had apparently been identified as a prime attacking target for Unai Emery.

However, Record now reports that the Lions have dropped their interest, as their highest bid of €45m (£38.6m) was deemed far too low for Sporting's liking.

Goncalves's deal with Ruben Amorim's side - which does not expire for another three years - is believed to include an €80m (£68.5m) release clause, and Sporting would want that sum paid in full to let him leave.

Goncalves has amassed an eye-catching 58 goals and 34 assists in 129 games for Sporting since his arrival in 2020, although Villa have already reinforced their attack with the capture of Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen.

Crystal Palace's Vicente Guaita reacts in March 2023 © Reuters

Back in the English capital, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita is reportedly pushing to leave the club in the summer transfer window.

The 36-year-old has been a regular in between the sticks for the Eagles since joining on a free transfer in 2018, but he lost his place in Roy Hodgson's starting lineup towards the end of last season.

Guaita's most recent Premier League appearance came in a 2-1 win over Leicester City on April 1, as Sam Johnstone was given the nod for the Eagles' final nine games of the season.

According to Football Insider, Johnstone is set to start the 2023-24 campaign as Palace's number one, and Guaita is therefore seeking an exit from Selhurst Park in the coming weeks.

The veteran shot-stopper is believed to be attracting interest from his native Spain, and he has less than 12 months left to run on his contract with Crystal Palace.

Guaita has kept 46 clean sheets in 154 appearances for the Eagles over the past five seasons, and Hodgson's side are believed to be considering Getafe's David Soria as a possible replacement.

Watford manager Xisco Munoz on September 11, 2021 © Reuters

Sticking with the theme of goalkeepers on the move, Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly in talks over a loan deal for AC Milan shot-stopper Devis Vasquez.

The 25-year-old Colombian joined the Italian powerhouses from Paraguayan outfit Guarani in January, as Stefano Pioli sought cover for the injured Mike Maignan.

Vasquez played two matches for Milan's Primavera side - conceding six goals - but he failed to make a single first-team appearance during the second half of the 2022-23 campaign, as Ciprian Tatarusanu was preferred in between the sticks.

With Milan signing Marco Sportiello from Atalanta BC this summer, Vasquez's hopes of breaking into the Rossoneri's starting lineup are slim, and journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims that he is now in talks over joining Wednesday.

The Owls are supposedly hoping to take the 6ft 5in South American on loan, but head coach Xisco Munoz recently refused to comment on the rumours when questioned by reporters.

Vasquez's contract with AC Milan runs until the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and the 25-year-old was called up to the Colombia national team for a pair of friendlies against South Korea and Japan in March.