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West Ham transfer news: Hammers will have to fork out £20m on misfiring Simone Zaza if he plays ten more games

The 25-year-old – on loan from Juventus – will have to be brought by the Hammers on a permanent deal

WEST Ham will have to fork out £20m if misfiring striker Simone Zaza players another ten games for the club, SunSport can reveal.

The 25-year-old – on loan from Juventus – will have to be brought by the Hammers on a permanent deal if he reaches the milestone.

Simone Zaza will have to be brought for £20m by West Ham if he plays ten more times
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Simone Zaza will have to be brought for £20m by West Ham if he plays ten more timesCredit: Getty Images

His agent had claimed a clause in his contract meant he would be signed after ten matches, but the actual figure is 14.

It is also thought only Premier League and appearances in the later stages of cup competitions count, meaning he has only triggered four fixtures so far.

Simone Zaza and Oriol Romeu tangle as things get heated on the pitch
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Simone Zaza and Oriol Romeu tangle as things get heated on the pitchCredit: PA:Press Association

A West Ham insider said: “His Dad, who is also his agent, claims the number of appearances is ten but that's not true, it's 14..

“There may be some game playing going on aimed at putting a bit of pressure on us but we are completely calm about the situation.

“Andy Carroll is on his way back as is Diafra Sakho, so there's going to be some very heavy competition.”

Fans were delighted when Simone Zaza came on for the ineffective Gokhan Tore
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Fans were delighted when Simone Zaza came, but he has been a flop so farCredit: Reuters

Zaza has played five times for West Ham in all competitions, but has failed to score a goal and is struggling for form.

He was ridiculed in the summer after missing a penalty for Italy against Germany at Euro 2016 following a ridiculous run-up.

Zaza joined Juventus last season from Sassuolo and scored five times in 19 games before being shipped out on loan.

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