Simone Zaza had a deal to join Napoli but “Juventus weren’t keen” to sell to the Partenopei, the West Ham United striker’s agent reveals.
The Italian international joined the Hammers on a €5m loan this summer, with an obligation to buy for €20m after a handful of appearances.
Prior to that, the forward had been in talks with Napoli, and his father and agent reveals a contract was agreed with the Partenopei.
Simone Zaza had a deal to join Napoli but “Juventus weren’t keen” to sell to the Partenopei, the West Ham United striker’s agent reveals.
The Italian international joined the Hammers on a €5m loan this summer, with an obligation to buy for €20m after a handful of appearances.
Prior to that, the forward had been in talks with Napoli, and his father and agent reveals a contract was agreed with the Partenopei.
“There was strong contact with the Partenopei, then we didn’t hear from them and no-one explained why,” Antonio Zaza revealed in an interview with TuttoNapoli.
“Thank God we were spoiled for choice, and there was the important offer from West Ham, a great project.
“Did we meet with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli? Yes, we met in our home in Turin. We talked for four hours, maybe more.
“It was a very polite conversation, we reached an agreement on everything and we should have heard from them in a day, two days max, but we never heard from them. They disappeared.
“I have no problem in saying that the offer was also very good: €3.5m plus bonuses, those were the figures the director guaranteed.
“From what I know Juve weren’t keen to sell to the Azzurri, but they made an official offer to Juventus.
“I don’t know the figures involved, but I do know that if they’d wanted him they’d have got him, because the player would have made it clear to the senior management in Turin that he wanted to wear the blue shirt.
“A solution would have been found, but apparently they made other choices. I don’t know the reason for that, it was never explained.
“We at least expected an answer, but nothing. Simone never rejected Napoli, I want to make that clear.
“He would have more than willingly worn the blue shirt, no-one should think otherwise.”