West Ham could be getting closer to a deal for Duvan Zapata, with the revelation that his club have identified a potential replacement for the striker.
Zapata, who has been on fire for Atalanta this year (on loan from Sampdoria, with an option to purchase), was the subject of an eye-watering bid from West Ham during the January transfer window.
It is thought that despite that failure, the Colombian is still in line to make the move to the Premier League this summer.
Reports from the Newcastle Chronicle (yeah, I know, I’m getting to that) claim that Atalanta are keen on Roberto Inglese – a forward who plays for Parma, on loan from Napoli.
If there is substance to this rumour, that would then suggest that Atalanta club chiefs are resigned to the idea that Zapata won’t be playing for them next season – fuelling speculation the 27-year-old could be on his way to England.
And if Zapata is indeed on his way to Blighty, one would think West Ham were at the front of the queue, after the initial interest in the winter. In addition, don’t discount the importance of national teammate Carlos Sanchez in influencing the front-man’s decision!
This is all terrible news for Newcastle though, who had been hoping they’d swoop for Inglese when the transfer window opened. Ah well.
