
Simone Zaza will symbolise West Ham’s Europa League campaign in a performance art exhibition at the Olympic Stadium.
The Juventus striker is set to undergo a medical with a view to joining the Hammers, who bowed out to Astra Giurgiu for the second year running, for £24m.
Many had assumed that Zaza was being signed as a replacement for the want-away Diafra Sakho and re-injured Andy Carroll.
But Football Burp understands Zaza’s primary function will be as an attraction in an artistic showcase of West Ham’s history.
Co-owner David Gold said: “If he can play a few matches for us too, that would be a bonus.
“But what we’re really looking for from Simone is for him to recreate his famous penalty against Germany at Euro 2016.
“As a symbol of our Europa League fortunes, it’s nothing if not powerful – in fact it’s downright uncanny.
“The long run-up of course represents our exertions in qualifying over a 38-game Premier League season.
“And then, the pièce de résistance – he fluffs it, spectacularly. It really has got everything.
“What with this and the 50-foot wicker sculpture of Mark Noble, this exhibition should really pack the ground.”