West Ham has signed Simone Zaza from Juventus for £24 million ($31.5 million).

Having made a £15 million bid for Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson before last season had ended, the co-chairman David Sullivan made it his priority to attract a proven goalscorer to the club this summer but offers for Michy Batshauyi and Alexandre Lacazette were rebuffed.

With Andy Carroll ruled out for up to six weeks and his record signing André Ayew unlikely to play again this year after suffering a thigh injury, Slaven Bilic’s desire to sign a new forward has heightened.

“With the Zaza situation it looks very likely to happen and should happen today,” Bilic said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester City. “As far as I know the deal is agreed between clubs. The personal terms are also agreed and he is due in London today, so we hope it will be done.

“It’s very positive and it’s a boost. We’ve been trying for a long time now to get a top-quality striker and he was always mentioned.”