West Ham should drop Zapata interest and rekindle ambitious swoop for Belotti

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham United have seen a bid for Atlanta hitman Duvan Zapata rejected, according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato.

They report that the Hammers have tabled an offer of 40 million euros (£35.3m) for the Colombian hitman, who has as many league goals this season as Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was turned away.

The situation surrounding Marko Arnautovic only serves to confuse matters, with his move to China now off the table as it stands, but Manuel Pellegrini reportedly willing to bench the Austrian until the end of the season.

Pellegrini has also reportedly seen a bid for Andrea Belotti turned away, but if wants to go back in for one of the Serie A strikers, the Torino man is the one to choose.

Belotti has nine goals to his name across all competitions this term, so in raw goalscoring terms, Zapata is outperforming him.

But the Italian hitman is a special talent, who has the flair and personality to fit into this new-look West Ham side with ease.

He is capable of creating chances by himself, dropping deep into pockets and bursting in behind and if there is any chance that West Ham could get him – most likely as a long-term replacement for Arnautovic – they should grab it.