West Ham United could have saved themselves a lot of time – and a whole lot of money – if they had got the deal over the line in 2013.
We all know just how close Raul Jimenez came to joining the Hammers now.
But the story of West Ham’s long-standing interest in Duvan Zapata deserves to be retold, especially with EuroSport claiming David Moyes’ wide-ranging striker search has the London giants once again pining over an old flame.
In July 2013, Zapata was a little-known 22-year-old plying his trade in South America for Estudiantes.
At the time, The Guardian reported West Ham were closing in on what would have been an ingenious £6.8 million deal, beating Borussia Dortmund to the signature of a rangy centre-forward Sam Allardyce viewed as an ideal partner for Andy Carroll.
That was, of course, until the deal hit the buffers.
West Ham were, according to the Mirror, “quietly confident” they would complete the signing of Zapata, a player who had impressed their scouts with his searing pace and physical prowess.
However, the lack of a requisite work permit soon put paid to those hopes and, five weeks later, Zapata was unveiled at Napoli instead.
Now 30 and with 18 Colombia caps under his belt, West Ham won’t have to worry about work-permit problems this time around as they mull over another approach for Zapata, eight years after the first.
However, the Hammers will have other obstacles blocking their path.
Not least because Atalanta, second in Serie A following the weekend’s typically enthralling 5-2 thrashing of Parma, look set to play Champions League football next season.
La Dea, meanwhile, are expected to demand about £50 million for an explosive number nine who has scored 65 goals in almost three seasons – including 18 this term.
In short, West Ham would have to invest a club-record fee in a player who, having turned 30 in April, may have already gone past his peak.
If only it was 2013 again. If only Zapata was still worth £6.8 million. If only England’s work permit restrictions weren’t so stringent. If only…
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