Borussia Dortmund have identified Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca as their main man to replace Erling Haaland if the Norway international leaves in the summer.
Haaland, who is under contract with Dortmund until 2024, is in high demand from clubs in both the Premier League and La Liga after his stunning form in Germany.
Dortmund face the real possibility of losing the 21-year-old Norwegian striker at the end of the season due to his £68m release clause.
The Bundesliga club are pushing for Haaland to decide his long-term future amid interest from Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Dortmund are weighing up a move for Scamacca ahead of Haaland’s potential exit from the club.
Scamacca has been at Sassuolo since 2017 and has been loaned out multiple times, including spells at Italian sides Cremonese, Ascoli and Genoa.
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The 23-year-old Italy international has made 23 appearances for Sassuolo this season and scored nine times.
Scamacca, whose Sassuolo contract expires in 2025, also received his first cap for Italy under Roberto Mancini last September.
Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Sassuolo striker is valued at around £37m (€45m) and is considered by Dortmund as a suitable replacement for Haaland.
Super-agent Mino Raiola, who represents Haaland, has a close relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and has hinted his client could move to Spain.
Haaland revealed his father, Alf-Inge, has been “speaking a lot” with Raiola, but he hasn’t been in touch with his agent for a while and is more focused on his football.
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“I haven’t spoken a lot with him over the last few months,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think my dad has been speaking a lot with him. I have been focusing on football. I have not really spoken a lot with Mino in the last months.”
When asked if his father’s career had an impact on him, Haaland responded: “I had a dream that I wanted to be better than my dad. Also, to live from football and live the football life. It is good to live that dream.
“For me, I have to beat him in all statistics, then I will say I am better than him. I'm quite calm on this right now.”
Topics: Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund, Germany, Bundesliga, Football
Adnan Riaz