David Moyes has told the Evening Standard that a deal for West Ham to sign Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata was “done” on deadline day. However, the move failed to materialise as Atalanta “disappeared” for the last four hours.
Zapata, 30, was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League in the January window – with Newcastle also said to have made an offer. El Tiempo reported Newcastle had tabled an offer worth £36.8million.
West Ham still need a striker. Michail Antonio is the club’s only recognised no.9 and while Jarrod Bowen can fill in, he is injured. Antonio’s form has been questionable of late – and the form of Seb Haller is rubbing it in.
They really needed a striker and Moyes now claims that a deal for Colombian powerhouse Zapata had been agreed. But Atalanta put the phone down for the last four hours of the window, scuppering a move.
“That one was done,” Moyes told the Evening Standard, when discussing a move for Zapata in the January window. “But they, for the last four hours of the window, just disappeared, shut down.”
Moyes on Zapata: Colombian would have been ideal for West Ham
The striker West Ham need is one that fits in with the identity Moyes has moulded around Antonio. One with pace, one with enormous power, one that can score goals from nothing. Zapata is all of those things.
Not only that, but one with plenty of experience in European football, too. Zapata has that following his time at Atalanta – with West Ham looking to become an established Europa League side at least.
If the chance comes around to get Zapata in the summer, the Hammers cannot hesitate – even though the striker has entered his thirties.
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