Duvan Zapata of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Ennio Tardini. (Getty Images)
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West Ham reviving their interest in £35m January target would make them a lethal attacking unit next season

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West Ham opinion: The Hammers should go for Duvan Zapata

Back in January, the Sun claimed West Ham had a £35m bid rejected for Atalanta hitman, Duvan Zapata. The Colombia international, 28, who joined Atalanta on a two-year loan from Sampdoria last summer, notched 23 strikes and seven assists in 37 Serie A games.

He enjoyed a remarkable season, the best of his career as Zapata played a crucial role in guiding Atalanta into the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. Keeping Zapata’s performances over the last 12 months in mind, West Ham must reignite their interest in the striker.

The Hammers have been pretty busy in the summer transfer window, having already signed three players so far. Manuel Pellegrini will aim to compete with the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ next season after his team finished ninth in the table in 2018/19.

And the club has given a glimpse of their ambitions ahead of the new campaign by signing Pablo Fornals from West Ham.

Fornals enjoyed a strong season in a struggling Villarreal side in 2018/19 and has now become West Ham’s most second most expensive signing in their history behind Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson.

The Spaniard is an exciting attacker that can get the West Ham faithful up from their seats with his creativity, dribbling skills and goalscoring ability.

Now that Pellegrini has bolstered his creative department with Fornals’ addition, he must now shift his attention towards signing an out-and-out centre-forward.

Lucas Perez has joined Alaves, while the Hammers have released Andy Carroll this summer. Should Javier Hernandez also leave the club this summer, the Chilean tactician will be left with only Marko Arnautovic as an option up front.

That’s when signing someone like Duvan Zapata would make sense for the East Londoners. Standing at 6ft 2in, the Colombian is blessed with immense strength, power and athleticism.

Combine that with his rampaging pace and aerial ability, and you’ve got a striker who could fit in perfectly in the Premier League.

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Zapata is very quick, can run at defenders, shrug them off without breaking a sweat and score goals with the utmost ease.

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He can stretch defences for the Hammers, thus allowing more space for creative players like Lanzini, Anderson and Fornals to sprinkle their magic. Moreover, the former Estudiantes La Plata man has the arrogance and flair to fit into Pellegrini’s exciting West Ham side.

Verdict

Renowned for his pace, power, physicality and ice-cool finishing, Zapata could be a smashing signing for West Ham. If the Hammers can thrash out a deal for the Colombian hitman, they could easily challenge the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United for a place in the top-six.