Italian striker back on West Ham's radar

  • by Staff Writer
  • Monday, 21st December 2015

Slaven Bilic is once again being linked with a move for Juventus forward Simone Zaza.

West Ham came agonisingly close to landing the 24-year-old during the summer transfer window after the two clubs agreed a deal, only for the player himself to reject the move following the departure of two key figures - Fernando Llorente and Kingsley Coman - which sent him up the pecking order at Juve.

However West Ham - and specifically Bilic, who is a huge fan of the player - are understood to have renewed their interest following the recent injury crisis that saw Mauro Zarate and Nikica Jelavic start at Swansea yesterday.

Zaza - whose rejection led to the deadline day arrival of Jelavic from Hull City - has made just three starts for Juventus in Serie A so far this season, scoring twice, including the opening goal in a 4-0 win over Torino last Wednesday.

In addition to four Serie A appearances from the bench he had made two cameo appearances in the Champions League, featured once in the Coppa Italia and made one substitute appearance for Italy an a 3-1 defeat in Belgium last month.

However he is understood to be receptive to a move with a place in next summer's European Championships potentially at stake.

"It's an honour that [Juve coach] Allegri has said he doesn't want me to leave, it really is, but there's a European Championship in June," Zaza told La Gazzetta dello Sport. I'm happy here, but [Italy coach Antonio] Conte has been clear and there's a European Championship in June and I hope to be playing regularly."

* In other transfer news, the Hammers are once again being linked with a move for former Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor who has been out of contract since agreeing to terminate his £100,000-per-week contract at White Hart Lane in September.

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