Juventus close on Simone Zaza

Italian champions Juventus are stepping up their efforts to sign Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza, reports Tuttosport.

The Bianconeri are almost certain to trigger the clause in the striker’s contract allowing them to sign him for €15 million next summer, but they are now attempting to lure the Italy international to Turin in the January transfer window.

According to Tuttosport, Sassuolo would be prepared to agree to such a deal in case they remain at a safe distance from the relegation zone.

Partly thanks to the highly rated forward, the Neroverdi have already created a seven-point cushion between them and the bottom three, and Juventus can only hope their good run continues in matches against Cesena, Milan and Udinese.

Simone Zaza, 23, has scored 4 goals in 10 Serie A matches this term, while starting three of four Euro 2016 qualifiers for Italy. The striker is the product of Atalanta’s famous youth academy, and he was already a Juventus player before joining Sassuolo.