West Ham target Simone Zaza unsure over Juventus future, according to player's agent

In demand: Zaza has been a reported target for several clubs
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
James Benge10 March 2016

The agent of Simone Zaza, a January target for West Ham, has warned that the striker’s future at Juventus remains in doubt if he does not get adequate playing time before the end of the season.

Slaven Bilic considered a loan move for the 24-year-old in January but no deal materialised. West Ham remain keen on upgrading their strike line in the summer. Co-chairman David Sullivan has made £20million available for a forward, with Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi the principal target.

Zaza, a £14m summer signing for Sassuolo, has struggled to nail down a starting place in Massimiliano Allegri’s starting lineup and finds himself behind Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata in the Juventus pecking order.

Having made just 14 appearances, only four of which were starts, Zaza’s agent has expressed client’s wish to see further first team football before the end of the season.

“Obviously it’d be nice if he could get more space, as he’s proved to be a player worthy of Juventus,” Christian Maifredi told ItaSportPress.

“And, allow me a personal opinion, he doesn’t lack anything compared to his teammates in that position, in comparison [Alvaro] Morata, [Mario] Mandzukic and [Paulo] Dybala. Simone has different characteristics and is definitely a top player.

“Could he leave in the summer? We don’t know yet, we have to wait because Juve are fighting for some important goals, and then there’s the European Championships.”

Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Arsenal have all been linked with Zaza over the past year, the striker maintaining an impressive scoring record 24 Serie A goals over 76 appearances in the past three seasons.

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