West Ham are reportedly set to snap up Juventus striker Simone Zaza.
Juventus’ Simone Zaza celebrates after scoring
Juventus sporting director Beppe Marotta has admitted that ’emails have been exchanged’ between themselves and West Ham over the transfer of Simone Zaza, as quoted by Tutto Mercato Web.
Juve’s potent trio of Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata attracted all the attention last season, and whilst Morata has re-signed for Real Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain has arrived from Napoli in a huge deal to boost Massimiliano Allegri’s attack again.
That means that Simone Zaza remains the unheralded, almost forgotten man of the Juve attack, as he started just five Serie A games last season, making 14 appearances as a substitute.
Despite his lack of minutes, Zaza did score five Serie A goals last season, and it now seems that West Ham United are ready to offer the Italian international some first-team football this season.
Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Zaza will be in London today to sign his contract with West Ham, penning a season-long loan deal with an obligation to sign a permanent £24m move on £57,500-a-week.
The Hammers have endured some injury problems in attack with both Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew on the treatment table, and Zaza – who impressed with Sassuolo before heading to Juventus last summer – is seen as the centre forward West Ham need.
Ahead of Zaza’s alleged move, Juventus sporting director Beppe Marotta has admitted that a deal should be completed imminently, revealing that emails have been exchanged between the two clubs to finalise the move, as quoted by Tutto Mercato Web.
“Zaza to West Ham? Negotiations are underway, we are exchanging some emails,” said Marotta. “We are almost there in his case, I think the conditions are there for us to find a definitive agreement,” he added.
Whilst Zaza may not be included in this weekend’s game against Manchester City, he will provide a major boost to the West Ham attack – and given that the financial details of a permanent deal have already been arranged, Zaza looks to be the long-term answer for Bilic up front.
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