According to reports from Mirror Football, Valencia and Napoli are interested in signing West Ham striker Simone Zaza during the January transfer window.

Didn't they just sign him?

After falling short in their pursuit for a top-class striker during the summer, West Ham secured a loan deal for Juventus forward Simone Zaza just days before the transfer window slammed shut.

However, father and agent Antonio Zaza claims the Irons have an obligation to buy the Italy international after ten appearances (he's already made five across all competitions), recently telling TuttoJuve: "He is on loan from Juventus with an obligation to buy after 10 appearances. I think he has four or five so far."

Based on current form, that would be disastrous for West Ham; Zaza's Premier League career thus far has consisted of no goals, six shots, none of which were on target, and one hauling off at half time against West Bromwich Albion.

Rather tellingly, our mates at Whoscored rate him as the worst performing striker to have made more than one appearance in the Premier League so far this season:

zaza-worst-in-prem

What's the word?

Seemingly influenced by the aforementioned claim from Antonio Zaza, Mirror Football report that Valencia and Napoli are both interested in signing the 25-year-old should his West Ham loan spell not work out - which seems more than likely given his sustained anonymity in the final third.

That could create two rather confusing situations; firstly and most probably, Zaza remaining on the books at West Ham but not making any more appearances so they don't have to pay his £10million permanent transfer fee, until he eventually leaves for Valencia or Napoli in January. Secondly, the Hammers activating the obligation before selling on Zaza anyway - but likely making a loss with the powerful forward's original loan fee also in mind.

Overall, the situation remains a little murky. But if Zaza's form doesn't improve in coming weeks, reports like this one will become increasingly common.