West Ham set to bid for Italy international Simone Zaza – report

Posted Thursday, June 23, 2016 by squawka.com

West Ham United are set to make a £15 million bid for Juventus and Italy striker Simone Zaza this summer.

Currently with his national team in preparation for their upcoming Euros matches, firstly against the Republic of Ireland and then Spain in the last-sixteen, the 24-year-old is a man in demand.

Such is the considerable interest in his services, West Ham, according to the Guardian, are hoping to steal a march on their rivals, which includes Premier League champions Leicester City and Wolfsburg.

"I'll assess my future after the Euros, but I hope to remain in Turin," Zaza said. "I feel happy on a personal level, but not 100% because I think I can give more. I'm enjoying these Euros, I'm concentrated, fired-up and I hope to do well."

Chances of him regularly featuring under Massimiliano Allegri next season look a remote possibility and this has subsequently piqued the interest of Hammers boss Slaven Bilic who is keen to strengthen his attacking options.

During the last campaign Zaza would feature across 24 matches for Juve in all competitions with 19 of those appearances coming in the Italian top division.

His most noteworthy contribution was score an 88th minute winner against then championship rivals Napoli at home in mid-February.

So far he's only played 30 minutes for the Azzurri at this summer's championship with all of it coming in Italy's late win over Sweden in which he played a crucial role by assisting Eder's winner.