West Ham United have reached an agreement in principle over a move for Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca, according to 90Min's Graeme Bailey.

The lowdown

West Ham have thus far spent a shade under £50million on three new signings.

Alphonse Areola has arrived in an £8.37million permanent move from Paris Saint-Germain after an initial loan, Flynn Downes has made a £9.59 switch from Swansea City and, most notably, Nayef Aguerd has arrived from Rennes for £31.5million.

But it would seem they are still desperate to add a striker who can battle with Michail Antonio for a starting role.

Indeed, according to Sky Sports, they have also submitted a £30million bid for Chelsea striker Armando Broja.

The latest

Bailey took to Twitter on Friday to relay the major development surrounding Scamacca.

"West Ham agree deal in principle for Gianluca Scamacca," he wrote.

The Italian, he says, 'has emerged as David Moyes' first-choice attacking target', ahead of Broja.

Paris Saint-Germain 'were also keen' but they appear to be prioritising a deal for Reims' Hugo Ekitike instead.

In the attached story for 90Min, he cautions that West Ham still have to agree on the precise structure of the deal, which will likely cost 'in excess of €40million' (£34million).

Personal terms have to be agreed too, but that may not be too big an issue, with Scamacca apparently keen on the switch.

The verdict

You can see why Moyes has identified Scamacca as the solution to his perceived striker problem.

He bagged 16 Serie A goals last season, finishing in sixth in the league's scoring charts despite playing for a mid-table side.

And as if to make that figure even more impressive, it came from an xG of just 10.8. underlining how ruthless he was in front of goal.

Scamacca is also 6ft 5in tall, and so it's no surprise that he ranks in the 95th percentile among positional peers in the top five leagues for aerial duel success.

Moyes will have to seek assurances over discipline, though, with the player sent home from Italy Under-19 duty in the past after he 'took a practical joke too far'.

He is, in the words of The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke, something of 'a maverick'.