A powerful striker David Moyes said almost joined West Ham on d-day ends silence on his future as Duvan Zapata speaks out.
Moyes opened up on his failed attempt to bring Atalanta striker Zapata to West Ham on deadline day last January.
“That one (a deal for Zapata) was done,” Moyes told The Evening Standard back in March last year.
“But they (Atalanta), for the last four hours of the window, just disappeared, shut down.”
The Colombian, who also came close to joining West Ham under Sam Allardyce earlier in his career, remained at Atalanta.
Injuries have limited Zapata to just nine starts this season. But he has proved to be a deadly finisher when fit and firing and uses his strength and pace in much the same way as Michail Antonio.
Powerful striker David Moyes said almost joined West Ham on d-day ends silence on his future as Duvan Zapata speaks out
Goals have been a problem for the Hammers all season. Indeed West Ham’s progligacy can be charted all the way back to January and that failed move to bring Zapata to the London Stadium.
This could be Antonio’s last season at West Ham and Zapata was once again linked with a move to the Premier League this January with West Ham reportedly still interested as well as relegation rivals Everton.
The links certainly add up. If Moyes is looking for a like-for-like replacement for Antonio then Zapata certainly fits the bill.
Speaking last month, the forward’s agent admitted his client wants to leave Atalanta in the summer.
Now the powerful striker Moyes said almost joined West Ham on d-day has ended the silence on his future as Zapata speaks out.
In an interview with Italian outlet Gazetta, Zapata insists he is aware of the links to the likes of West Ham and Everton but ‘knew nothing’ about any move being close.
He insists he is happy in Bergamo but did appear to drop a hint he may leave in the summer. He stated he just wants to enjoy the rest of the season with Atalanta now he is back fit.
When Gazetta asked him where he sees himself in the summer, Zapata said: “Here, even if I’ve been linked with other clubs since I came here and I knew nothing about it.
“I am happy here and I can feel even better if I get more consistency and if we end well this season…
“Atalanta have missed me as much as I missed Atalanta, that’s why I want to enjoy every moment until the end of the season.”
Zapata himself turns 32 in a couple of weeks. So the ship for a move to the Premier League has sailed.