Juventus will back out of a January transfer for Sassuolo ace Gianluca Scamacca if they feel forced into a bidding war for the reported Tottenham target, according to Tuttosport.
Scamacca’s name features on a host of shortlists around Europe ahead of the January sales starting on Saturday. Massimiliano Allegri, for one, has the 22-year-old on the Bianconeri’s shopping list as they search for a striker. But they will only move under the right conditions.
Allegri likes Scamacca as the Italian can enter dangerous positions and seize goalscoring chances. He hit a fine vein of form before Serie A paused for the winter with four goals in his last seven appearances. He had only scored twice over his first 12 outings this season.
But Scamacca’s efforts have strengthened Sassuolo’s asking price, with the Neroverdi now wanting €40m (£34m). Roberto Mancini also gave him his senior Italy debut in September.
Add in rival interest from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Fiorentina, Sassuolo are comfortable in their valuation. The Emilia-Romagna outfit are also waiting for the interest to spark a race.
Juventus, though, are unwilling to spend so much in the winter market and will likely eye a loan deal instead. The move could also feature an option to buy, but at a reduced fee and they will oppose any obligations. They will also reject paying Scamacca an inflated salary.
Juventus hand Tottenham boost in Scamacca transfer race
Juventus are ready to back away from a transfer for Scamacca if Sassuolo do hold out for a bidding war. Their stance, therefore, is a boost for former Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte.
Reports by Gazzetta dello Sport previously cited Tottenham among the English sides keen on a transfer for Sassuolo star Scamacca, along with Inter, Milan, Fiorentina and Juventus.
Tottenham consider Scamacca a cheaper forward to Fiorentina marksman Dusan Vlahovic, who has scored 16 Serie A goals this term. The Serbian has also started all 19 of his games.
Scamacca, however, is on the rise after scoring eight in 27 outings on loan with Genoa last season. Former Genoa boss, Davide Ballardini, also likened him to Italy great Christian Vieri.
Ballardini told Gazzetta dello Sport: “[Scamacca] has a good feeling of foot, despite being one metre and 95 centimetres tall. He has strength and speed, and is beginning to make sense of his game – he has learned to interpret moments; he is less instinctive.
“He is no longer just an ‘animalistic’ centre-forward. [But] he has to work on the movements for himself and for the team, he does not yet know the art of unmarking well.
“He has to automate the moments in which to meet and the ones to go deep into, and he’s so strong that he doesn’t have to seek support from the defender. He doesn’t need it, he can run away [from defenders] when he wants.”
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