Former West Ham United and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has said that he would have signed Chelsea striker Armando Broja instead of Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca this summer.
The Hammers are reportedly close to signing Italian international Scamacca for £30.5million in a move that would almost double their summer spending so far after already sealing deals for Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd and Flynn Downes.
The 23-year-old Rome-born forward, who has played seven times for his country at senior level, scored 16 goals in Serie A last season despite only making 25 league starts last term. However, despite his form, Johnson has claimed that he would rather sign Albanian international Broja, who has been heavily linked with interest from the Hammers throughout this summer.
READ MORE: West Ham suffer major injury blow with £30m signing undergoing surgery after pre-season injury
The Slough-born striker spent last season out on loan in the top-flight with Southampton and he believes that already having experience in the Premier League would make him a better signing than Scamacca.
“I would have potentially opted for Armando Broja over Gianluca Scamacca, but it is exciting that West Ham are spending that sort of money on a striker. Scamacca is going to have to deliver,” Johnson told GGRecon.
“I would have only opted for Broja because he’s got Premier League experience already but hopefully I’m wrong and he can smash in 25 goals.”
It has been widely reported that Scamacca is currently in London and will undergo a medical on Tuesday ahead of completing a move to West Ham. The striker made his international debut last year but is yet to score for his country at senior level.
READ NEXT:
How David Moyes could set up if West Ham complete Gianluca Scamacca and Filip Kostic transfers
Tomas Soucek’s pre-season signs highlight why David Moyes can be excited ahead of new campaign
Why Gianluca Scamacca could be forced into shirt number change if West Ham transfer goes through
Europa Conference League play-off draw: West Ham’s potential opponents, date and format
Jesse Lingard claim made as former Crystal Palace striker offers his verdict on West Ham United
