By support

4th Oct, 2016 | 12:50pm

West Ham close to sealing striker transfer - agent

By Harvey Byrne

West Ham will be obliged to sign on loan striker Simone Zaza on a permanent deal if he plays 10 games for the club, according to the player’s agent.

The Italy international, 25, is struggling to adapt to the Premier League following his summer move, playing in five fixtures in all competitions and remaining goalless.

However, the player is now halfway to a permanent deal with the Hammers, revealed the player’s agent and dad, Antonio Zaza.

“West Ham will be obliged to take him on a permanent deal if he plays 10 games for the club,” said the father of Zaza to Italian news out Calcio Mercato.” “He has to get used to the new tactics as they are different to those at Juve.”

The striker has come in for a lot of criticism for his overall play with the east London club getting off to a poor start in the new Premier League campaign with the Hammers sat in 18th place with just four points after seven fixtures.

Zaza was part of a group of 11 senior players who moved to West Ham’s new London Stadium in the summer.

Slaven Bilic had looked to build a big squad which would be able to compete in both the domestic league and the Europa League.

However, West Ham were knocked out at the qualification rounds in Europe by Romanian side Astra Giurgiu.

They will be keen to improve on their current position after last suffering relegation in 2011 under Avram Grant

In other West Ham transfer news, Slaven Bilic is desperate for the Hammers board to complete a new deal for wonderkid Reece Oxford.