28. Simone Zaza
The loan market has become a much more prominent feature in Premier League club’s dealings during the transfer window. Clubs bring a player to their club, normally with the option to purchase them later, in a kind of “try before you buy” situation. It means they don’t have to shell out the big bucks but they can also get a good player at the same time.
Last summer West Ham tried to take advantage of this transfer method when they brought Juventus and Italy forward Simone Zaza to the London Stadium. Zaza is perhaps best known for his ridiculous penalty at Euro 2016 but ultimately the Italian is still a quality forward who belongs to Italy’s best team.
This quality never shone through in the claret and blue of West Ham, though, as his short-lived loan spell in London was deemed to be not good enough. Zaza made 11 appearances for the Hammers but didn’t find the net once. That was enough for Slaven Bilic to send him back to his parent club Juventus, where he was also considered surplus to requirements.
Zaza was shipped out on loan again to Spanish side Valencia, where his form has picked up. He’s netted six times in 18 appearances for Los Che and that has encouraged the club to sign him permanently from Juventus when the summer transfer window opens.