Report: West Ham target excited by exit chance, will speak with manager to discuss transfer

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Giovanni Simeone is open to leaving Cagliari during the summer window amid interest from West Ham United, according to TuttoMercatoWEB.

The Argentine has responded positively to approaches from clubs in the Serie A, Ligue 1, La Liga and Premier League. But he is most excited by the idea of leaving Gli Isolani on a foreign track after five years in Italy.

The 25-year-old is eager to test himself in a new country and will soon speak with Leonardo Semplici. Simeone wants to understand what the Cagliari boss’s plans are for him before pursuing any potential transfer.

West Ham are keen to offer Simeone the chance to play in England as David Moyes continues searching for Sebastien Haller’s heir. But Torino, Bologna and Sampdoria want him to stay in Italy, while Marseille also want him in France.

Several Serie A sides have contacted Simeone to express their interest in a deal for the five-cap international. They hope to sign him in a permanent deal, after the Madrid-born centre-forward scored six goals in 33 games last season.

West Ham explored signing Simeone during the January transfer window and recently saw a loan-to-buy bid rejected. Calciomercato claim the Hammers offered €1m (£900k) upfront, but it was not enough to tempt Cagliari to sell.

Simeone has three years still to run on his contract at the Sardegna Arena after completing a permanent move from Fiorentina last September after an initial year-long loan. He scored 12 goals and offered four assists during 2019/20.

West Ham need better than Cagliari striker Simeone

West Ham have clearly built an admiration for what Simeone can offer under Moyes. But the Cagliari striker is not who the Irons need and should walk away after seeing an approach rejected already.

Simeone scored sporadically during his year at the Sardegna Arena on loan but has offered no consistency since. After finding the back of the net five times in the first six games of the Serie A season, he only scored once in his next 27.

Simeone also failed to score between November and March, which offers little hope of him being a success in England. And West Ham have to hit gold with their next striker after Haller flopped and with Europa League football coming.