West Ham are hopeful of concluding negotiations to sign Simone Zaza from Juventus in the coming days, Goal can confirm.
The Hammers have been desperately scouring the market for a striker in recent weeks, after club-record signing Andre Ayew was struck down by a rare thigh injury in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on the first weekend of the season and Andy Carroll was also ruled out for a significant period of time.
Zaza has subsequently been identified as the club’s first-choice target, and talks with Juve have been progressing well in recent days.
Sources have revealed to Goal that negotiations are now centring on whether Zaza will join on loan or on a permanent deal, though West Ham would rather sign the striker on an initial short-term deal.
The Italian champions have quoted the Premier League club a fee of around £25 million for the Italy international, who has scored eight goals in 24 games for Juve, and he is understood to have demanded a wage of £100,000-per-week.
Slaven Bilic also confirmed earlier this week that he held an interest in signing Wilfried Bony from Manchester City, while a move for Chelsea outcast Loic Remy has also been considered.
Goal understands, however, that those moves are regarded as back-ups to the deal for Zaza, should negotiations collapse.
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