Having already added forwards Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic this offseason, Juventus have further strengthened their ranks with the addition of striker Simone Zaza from Sassoulo on a five year contract for a fee of €18 million to be paid in instalments over three-years.
It is seen as the second coming for the Italian, who was originally signed by Juve from Sampdoria in 2013 for €3.5 million. The Bianconeri then sold 50% of the player’s rights to Sassoulo, who then went a step further and purchased him outright for €7.5 million a year later.
The key to bringing Zaza back to Turin was the buy back clause that was installed in his contract by Juventus when he was sold to Sassoulo, an option they have decided to exercise after two impressive seasons at the Neroverdi, scoring 20 goals in 64 league appearances and becoming the talismanic figure in the club’s rise to prominence in Italian football, after being promoted to Serie A for the first time in 2013.
Zaza has been a model of consistency at the various clubs his been at, hitting double figures in his past four seasons dating back to the 2011/2012 season, where he scored 11 goals in 18 appearances for FC Esperia Viareggio in the Lega Pro Prima Divisione, the third tier of Italian football.
Following the return to his parent club Sampdoria, Zaza was again loaned out, this time to Serie B club Ascoli, where he enjoyed a hugely successful campaign, netting 18 times in 35 games. However, his goals were not enough to avoid the club from being relegated, finishing the season in 20th position. He returned to Sampdoria with no assurances of his future, but no shortage of suitors either.
The turning point for Zaza came, funnily enough, when he signed for Juventus the first time around and was synchronously transferred to Sassoulo in a co-ownership deal worth €2.5 million in 2013. Zaza’s 11 goals were crucial in maintaining the club’s Serie A status as they narrowly avoided relegation in the club’s maiden season in Italy’s top flight.
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The following season saw Sassoulo surprise many in Serie A by finishing the campaign in 12th position, as Zaza and fellow Juve co-owned player Domenico Berardi formed a menacing partnership for the Neroverdi, scoring 26 goals between them and constantly causing problems for defences throughout the league.
Zaza’s influential performances won him a call up to the national team in 2014, where he made his debut for the Azzurri in a friendly match against the Netherlands. He scored his first goal for Italy in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Norway and has won five caps in total, putting the seal on a whirlwind last two years for the 24-year-old.
A versatile forward who combines hard graft with good technique, Zaza has some terrific attributes in his locker that will hold him in good stead as he endeavours to make many meaningful contributions for the Old Lady this season.
Zaza is comfortable either leading the line or playing as a second striker who scored all of his 11 goals in the 2014/2015 season inside the penalty area, underlining his predatory instincts and is equally as capable with the ball at his feet or using his head.
With Massimo Allegri possessing an assortment of striking options, Zaza will be fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead if his to forge his way up the pecking order ahead of the likes of Mandzukic, Dybala, Alvaro Morata, and Fernando Llorente.
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Zaza has wasted no time settling into his new surroundings by beginning training earlier then most of his team mates, and expressing his delight at joining the four time reigning Serie A champions, where he hopes to take his game to a new level.
“I am so eager to get started and am happy to be here with what is without a shadow of doubt the best team in Italy, both in terms of the squad and its organisation.” Zaza explained to the Juventus club website.
“Now I have everything it takes to finally become a great player. I want to do well and to win, something I am not accustomed to.”
The acquisition of Zaza provides Massimo Allegri with another quality attacking alternative and one thing is for sure, the Italian will be looking to grasp every opportunity with both hands as competition for places heats up with the new season just around the corner.
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