West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic is yet to see on loan Simone Zaza break his duck and the money would be better spent on Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic speaks with Simone Zaza
The Italian striker has endured a torrid start to life as a West Ham United player on loan from Juventus and hasn’t looked like scoring so far.
His performance last time out in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace was much improved and Bilic said the Hammers would not have won without Zaza’s tireless running.
The forward, famous for that penalty run-up and miss which made him something of a laughing stock at Euro 2016, joined Slaven Bilic‘s side in the summer from the Serie A champions with a bizarre “obligation to buy” clause which is activated once he plays 14 games.
Zaza is yet to break his duck
With Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho all injured the clock is ticking on that caveat in the deal with West Ham facing the very real prospect of having to shell out a club record £25 million for a player who – so far at least – does not look anything like a Premier League goalscorer.
It could end up being one of the most ludicrous transfers in Premier League history and a sorry mess for a club who chased a marquee striker signing with the potential to score 20 goals all summer long.
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge is a faces being a bit-part player under Jurgen Klopp
One of those reported targets was Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, who looks resigned to a bit-part role at Anfield under high-pressing taskmaster Jurgen Klopp.
Bilic was linked with an £18m bid to lure Sturridge back to London in pre-season, as reported by the likes of the Daily Star.
And with the England striker being used sparingly by Klopp – which in turn is affecting his status with the national team – it could open the door for the Zaza money to be put to better use in a move that would suit all parties.
Sturridge could link up well with Payet, Lanzini and co
Sturridge would be a big fish at West Ham and has the potential to link up well with Bilic’s playmaking quartet Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio.
Sturridge knows the league and has a formidable goal record of one every two games in the English top flight, just what the Hammers have been looking for.
And at 27 the striker still has a number of years left in him at the top level.
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