If reports are to be believed, West Ham United and Barcelona are gunning for the same centre-forward. A centre-forward many consider to be the natural heir to Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.
Now, Armando Gonzalez may not thank anyone for making such comparisons.
Hernandez is one of the greats of Mexican football, after all, and arguably their biggest icon of the 21st century. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and, yes, West Ham United poacher is also the top all-time goalscorer of the Mexican national team.
Extremely big boots to fill, then, for another young forward exploding onto the scene with Chivas Guadalajara.
How do you look back on Chicharito’s West Ham spell? 🇲🇽 ⚒️
A disappointment? Or a success?
According to reporter Diego Yvey, speaking to ESPN Mexico, West Ham have approached Gonzalez’s camp regarding a potential summer move to the London Stadium. Seven years after the Hammers sold Hernandez to Sevilla, could his heir apparent be leading the line in claret and blue sooner rather than later?
- Sign up here for free to tell us your view!
West Ham United approached Mexico striker Armando Gonzalez in January
Yvey claims that Gonzalez has already rejected a move to Russian giants CSKA Moscow. The chance to follow in Chicharito’s Premier League footsteps, or the chance to succeed Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona, may be far more difficult a temptation to resist.
“Three other clubs from the ‘Old Continent’ [Europe] have knocked on the door; West Ham, Barcelona, and Celtic,” says Yvey. “They aren’t about to sign him yet. They simply knocked on the door, asked about his demands, and inquired about his release clause.”
That release clause, by the way, is reportedly set at £15 million.
“West Ham are a team that already knows what it’s like to have a Mexican striker trained here in Guadalajara. This offer was made only to the footballer [Gonzalez] and his entourage, his family, and his talent agency. They didn’t approach Guadalajara directly, only the player,” adds Yvey, who says that the 22-year-old rebuffed all approaches in January with his full focus on the upcoming World Cup held – partially – on home soil.
“It was his decision to say, ‘Thank you, but not for now.’ It was a decision made entirely by the footballer. Armando was the one who had the last word.
“Chivas couldn’t do anything; if they pay the 20 million dollar [release clause], the club can’t say no.
“He was advised by his family, mainly his father, who was also a Chivas player. They decided the best thing was to stay, fulfil his dream while waiting for a spot in the final [National Team squad], and wait for the offers that will be presented in the summer.”
Gonzalez finished joint-top in Mexico’s Golden Boot race last year
Whether West Ham return remains to be seen. Nuno Espirito Santo is a huge admirer of Taty Castellanos – the January signing who will hope to score a first home league goal tonight against Bournemouth – but uncertainty reigns over Pablo Felipe’s quality and Callum Wilson’s longevity.
There may be space for a new number nine after all.
Still only 22, Gonzalez has scored 17 goals in 24 matches across 2025. Enough to see him share the Mexican league’s Golden Boot.
“Armando Gonzalez is young and has a very large margin for growth,” Chivas coach and ex-Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito tells Debate. “He has a lot of goal [instincts] and a good mentality. The team needs his goals, and he must continue working to evolve.
“A coach must improve his footballers. Armando, being so young, is going to have a great evolution that will lead him to be a more complete player.”
Nuno Espirito Santo hails Taty Castellanos’ impact
Where can Taty Castellanos IMPROVE?
Are you losing faith in him?
Castellanos, the man currently leading the line for West Ham, has just two goals so far, though his influence and impact cannot be understated.
“I think we have been lucky to have him,” Nuno said during his pre-match press conference on Thursday. “Since he joined, I think he’s brought a lot of good things to the team; the energy, the hard work, the goals, the way he plays football…
“We had a look at him [when Castellanos was at Lazio]. We decided to bring him because we believe in him.
“Him starting the next day [in a 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest], if it was the same day, it would be the same situation because there was a clear need for a player in that position.”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
