Scamacca is Arsenal target compared to Ibrahimovic but career hasn't been easy

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club before joining Barcelona on a free in February, and Alexandre Lacazette's departure has been announced, meaning the Gunners are eyeing a new forward.

Ex-Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, now of Juventus, was target back in January, as Arteta sought Champions League qualification.

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad have also previously been linked.

But no addition arrived and fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur pipped them to fourth spot.

A tough summer is ahead of the club and Arteta is interested in Man City star Gabriel Jesus, with ex-Gunners captain Gilberto Silva believing a deal for the Brazilian be shrewd business.

Another player in the Gunners' sights, though, is Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca.

But, who is he? Here talkSPORT gives you the lowdown of all you need to know about the Italian forward.

Having come through the ranks with Serie A side Roma, Scamacca joined PSV Eindhoven as a 16-year-old in 2005.

His career, however, failed to take off in in the Eredivisie and he swiftly made the move back to his homeland, joining Sassuolo in January 2017.

He had loan spells with Cremonese and PEC Zwolle before finally getting his scoring boots on in Serie B with Ascoli before impressing for Genoa in Serie A during the 2020/21 season.

Whilst on-loan at Genoa, Scamacca netted a total of nine goals, one in every 104 minutes.

After Sassuolo decided to sell Francesco Caputo to Sampdoria last summer, the 23-year-old was finally given the chance to impress.

Scamacca repaid that faith by scoring 16 goals in 38 appearances last season for the Black and Greens, and becoming an Italy international.

Scamacca has drawn comparisons with his footballing icon Ibrahimovic due to his goalscoring prowess, work rate on the pitch and their strikingly similar 6ft 5in frames, which are also tatooed.

On being compared with Ibrahimovic, he told sempremilan.it: "He is a champion, being likened to such a champion is only nice. But I have my way, my way of playing."

While talking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he added: "He is an icon for me.

"Seeing him do some things at his age, often with even more determination than he had before, the way he carries the team on his shoulder, it all stimulates and fascinates me.

"I think: if he can do it, why can't I? When I was playing in Holland and I'd do a backheel, they'd ask me if I was trying to be like Ibrahimovic, but you learn those things playing on the street.

"After so much of that, I went to look at some videos of Ibra and did see some similarities in our playing style."

Back in November last year, Scamacca scored a brace, as Sassuolo stunned the San Siro by defeating AC Milan 3-1 in Serie A - with Ibrahimovic getting a taste of the Italian's power and precision.

His first goal was the pick of the bunch as he rifled home an unstoppable effort into the net off the underside of the bar past goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Former Italy World Cup striker Vieri has previously claimed he is a fan of the forward after Genoa boss Davide Ballardini compared the pair.

"There's no other Bobo Vieri, but there are young strikers who will slowly grow," the Italian legend said.

"I really like Scamacca, he's ready for the top level right now."

It hasn't all been plain sailing for Scamacca during his rise to the top.

It was reported in 2021 that his father broke into the Roma training ground and allegedly cause damage to buildings and cars with an iron before being arrested and taken to hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

Then during his time at Genoa, Scamacca revealed he did not know what had happened as his father is not a huge part of his life.

"I am badly shaken by what happened and what I read. I really don't know how to explain it," Scamacca told Gazzetta.it.

"It is painful for me to talk about this, but perhaps it is necessary. My father has not lived with my mother for a very long time. They aren't divorced, because they never married. I was raised by my mother and my sister. They are my family.

"We only have an occasional relationship. I see him very rarely. But this is a family issue that I prefer to keep to myself, so I ask people to respect my privacy.

"My father has never had anything to do with my career, especially in recent years. I am very disappointed and shaken by what happened, but I have such minimal contact with my father, I really wouldn't know what to say."

Back in 2017, there was also an incident with Moise Kean where the pair were sent home from an Italy Under-19s training camp for several practical jokes which had gone too far.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with the Italy international, but they are not the only club running the rule over the striker.

Liverpool were previously interested when he was a youngster at Roma.

Since then, Inter Milan and AC Milan have also registered their interest.

Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali told Sky Sports Italia: "There have been some contacts with some clubs for Scamacca and others.

"Our desire is to keep most players in the team, and there is nothing concrete for now. We need to wait for young players and give them a chance in Serie A."

Meanwhile, Guardian journalist reporter Fabrizio Romano told Ferdinand's YouTube podcast: "Yes, he will leave Sassuolo.

"He extended the contract a few days ago but he will leave Sassuolo. It was an extension to allow a potential loan with obligation to buy clause. So that's why he extended the contract, and yes, there are many clubs interested in him.

"In January, Borussia Dortmund were asking about him. There are many clubs interested."

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