Are Simone Zaza reports premature as striker is pictured out celebrating in London?

Follow us on Google Discover

West Ham United flop Simone Zaza is expected to leave the club this month.

Zaza was halfway to the 14-game clause triggering West Ham United‘s whopping £25 million obligation to buy him from Juventus when he started being omitted from Slaven Bilic’s squads.

The Italian could not get into a West Ham side that was not scoring freely and where his three rivals for a starting spot were either injured or not fully fit.

A laughing stock at Euro 2016 for his run-up and miss in the penalty shootout defeat to Germany, Zaza’s confidence never recovered despite his move to East London.

West Ham United’s Simone Zaza looks dejected

The 14-game clause became an albatross around the neck of both the player and the club but it did not put off Valencia who were tipped to take over the loan agreement from the Hammers, as reported by the Daily Mail.

The sacking of Valencia’s Italian manager Cesare Prandelli last week could throw a spanner in the works although Italian Football Daily claim AC Milan are also interested in Zaza, who has barely registered a shot on target for West Ham let alone a goal.

With Andre Ayew off to the African Nations with Ghana, summer loan signing Jonathan Calleri returning to South America after also proving a flop and Diafra Sakho out until March it leaves Slaven Bilic relying heavily on injury-prone striker Andy Carroll and raw youngster Ashley Fletcher.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic speaks with Simone Zaza

Zaza’s agent admitted in the middle of December that his player would be leaving in January, as reported by The Sun.

But all the talk could prove somewhat premature after the striker was pictured out celebrating New Year’s Eve in London with his girlfriend.

Zaza’s Italian model girlfriend Chiara Biasi posted a series of pictures on Instagram of the couple out with friends for a meal at Assunta Madre restaurant in London’s Mayfair.

Judging by the pictures and others posted by the couple since Zaza’s move to the Hammers, they are enjoying their time in London.

Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have already pledged to add ‘quality reinforcements’ to the squad this month.

And the success of their search for a striker could well dictate what they end up doing with Zaza as he may prove to be the cheaper option should they fail to attract the calibre of player to get the goals West Ham need.