Report: Valencia considering loan approach for Zaza in January

Valencia is considering renewing its efforts to recruit Simone Zaza in January, just months after losing out on his signature to West Ham United.

Zaza is currently on a season-long loan in London from Juventus, a deal which includes an option to make the switch permanent in the summer, but Valencia's revived interest could see those terms rehashed on the east coast of Spain, reports ESPN FC's Adriana Garcia.

Valencia sporting director Garcia Pitarch understands the 25-year-old has failed to ingratiate himself with the West Ham support so would potentially be available, but doesn't know whether it would be a move entertained by either Irons boss Slaven Bilic and Los Che handler Cesare Prandelli.

Pitarch revealed that Valencia made an approach for Zaza in the summer, but Andre Gomes' decision to join Barcelona rather than Juve scuppered the negotiations. If Pitarch had his way, the troubled Spanish giant would be acquiring the Italian forward in January.

"Basically the biggest challenge is that the salary that he has at West Ham is absolutely exorbitant, but that could be negotiated," said Pitarch. "I don't know what the coach thinks about this, but if we could reduce his wages, he is a player that we can evaluate."

ESPN FC's Garcia understands that an attempt to broker this agreement could be imminent.

If Zaza does head to Spain, it could be a lucky escape for West Ham. The 16-time Italy international has been rather unimpressive in his eight Premier League appearances, mustering 16 unsuccessful shots in that time. If he reaches a certain number of first-team outings for the struggling side, it has an obligation to purchase him for €20 million (£17 million).

Andy Carroll's return to injury in Stratford means he, Andre Ayew, and Ashley Fletcher all appear to be ahead of Zaza in West Ham's frontline pecking order.