West Ham have opened talks to sign Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata, with Nottingham Forest and Everton still keen. According to the Daily Mail, the striker is valued at £25 million and will be allowed to leave the Serie A outfit this month.
Zapata is 31-years-old and has been with Atalanta since 2018. He initially joined on loan and then penned a permanent deal with the club the following summer.
His goalscoring form has largely been good for the club. He’s bagged himself 80 goals and claimed 40 assists from 174 appearances, developing into one of Italian football’s most feared marksmen.
Now, Gian Piero Gasperini looks set to offload his talisman. He’s struggled with a hamstring problem this season, scoring just once from 12 outings for the Bergamo-based outfit.
West Ham are thought to have now opened talks over a deal to sign Zapata. The Hammers are currently in the relegation zone and desperately need a lift.
It’s claimed in the report that the Colombian talisman would prefer a move to London. That could leave both Everton and Forest fighting a losing battle.
Forest are in the market for a new forward player this month. Injuries are stacking up, with Emmanuel Dennis and Sam Surridge seemingly available for loans away from the City Ground.
West Ham have opened talks to sign Forest-linked Zapata
The man with four goals from 34 outings for Colombia is a wanted man. It’s no surprise, with his goal haul in Italy particularly impressive.
Zapata has found the net 107 times in 269 appearances in Serie A. He’s often played as the focal point in attack and that physical presence makes him an intriguing player.
Forest are currently missing Taiwo Awoniyi. Although they managed to beat Leicester at the weekend, it’s fair to say they do lack some physicality up-front.
West Ham do have some struggles of their own. They’ve qualified for Europe for the last two seasons but this season face a relegation battle.
On the face of this latest report, it would appear that Forest and Everton might have to switch their attention elsewhere for a new striker.
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