West Ham: Fresh approach for Juve forward; Bilic doesn't want panic buys; Lazaar update

By Sam Leveridge

With news of injuries to Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew, the striker hunt continues for the Hammers, and there could be a fresh approach for Simone Zaza. The Express have picked up on claims in GazzaMercato that his father has confirmed that the club are in talks with his son, who is keen to leave Juventus after failing to secure first team football last season after his move from Sassuolo. His father explained:

West Ham are a solution we’d appreciate and represent something more concrete. We’ll have to see what Juventus do and expect news soon. We are taking London into serious consideration as his next destination.

Zaza has already played at the London Stadium having played a role in Juventus’ pre-season friendly victory, and he could be set for a return sooner rather than later if these rumours turn out to be correct. Zaza found fame this summer as his bizarre penalty run-up culminated in a costly miss for Italy, but he has proven to be a prolific forward in Italy and could replicate that form in the Premier League.

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However, Slaven Bilic has spoken out to state that despite a number of injuries meaning that Enner Valencia started yesterday’s victory over Bournemouth, the club should not and will not be forced into making any panic buys. The Evening Standard claim that whilst Ayew is set to miss at least four months of action, Bilic will only make a move for the right man if he becomes available in this transfer window. The Croatian said:

Andre Ayew’s thigh injury is a big blow for us. We were delighted to have signed him from Swansea and the news that he is now out for a long time is not good. There will be no panic buying… Diafra Sakho is still having treatment on an injury. He is our player and when he is fit and available, he is going to play.

With speculation continuing that Bilic wants to add another forward to the squad, it seems unlikely that the Hammers have completed their business for the summer, but they clearly don’t want to be hardballed in negotiations and will not be rushed into any purchases.

Meanwhile, former target Carlos Bacca scored a hat-trick as AC Milan kicked off their season yesterday…

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One such addition could be Palermo’s Achraf Lazaar as Giornale di Sicilia report that the Irons are seeking to finish off a deal for the versatile left sided player as soon as possible. At a reported fee of £2.5 million, the Moroccan international would be a bargain addition to add depth to the squad as they seek to adapt to Aaron Cresswell’s injury and Europa League football should the club qualify for the group stages with a victory on Thursday.

On a reported wage of aroudn £17,000 a week, Lazaar would be a cheap alternative and would provide options all along the left flank. If the Hammers do want to compete both in Europe and in the Premier League this season, that kind of depth will be vital in their attempts to reach their ambitions in their debut season in the London Stadium.

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