West Ham would like to swap Simone Zaza for Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic in the January transfer window, according to Tuttosport.
The Italian newspaper say that the Hammers will cut Zaza’s loan short at the London Stadium but would like his Juve team mate Mandzukic to join instead in January, on another loan deal until the end of the season.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic worked closely with Mandzukic as manager of Croatia, and could well persuade the 30 year old to make the temporary move to London.
The biggest stumbling block could however be Juventus manager Max Allegri. Despite forward Paulo Dybala returning from a two month injury layoff, Allegri has started Mandzukic ahead of the exciting Argentine in the past two matches.
In two crucial games, in the Turin derby against Torino and against second placed Roma, Mandzukic started alongside striker Gonzalo Higuain, and he is a huge favourite among Juve fans because of his high work rate.
