Manuel Pellegrini has found the man he wants to replace Marko Arnautovic, but West Ham will have to up their offer to complete a deal for Duvan Zapata as Tuttosport suggest a €40million (£35m) bid has been rejected.
The front cover of Tuttosport’s Monday edition carried the headline “Viva Zapata! L’Atalanta dice no a 40 milioni”, after West Ham reportedly tried their hand at landing the Serie A star for £35m.
The Hammers are in the market for a new striker due to doubts over Arnautovic’s future after an un-named Chinese League side, believed to be Guangzhou Evergrande, according to The Guardian, upped their initial offer of €35million to €40m (£35.2).
Pellegrini was even forced to drop the Austrian hitman from his side that lost to Bournemouth last weekend, and may now be hoping that a third bid comes in for the 29-year-old to help fund a swoop for Zapata.
The Serie A sensation only joined Atalanta in the summer from Sampdoria, when he penned a two-year loan deal with an option to buy, and has been in terrific form at his new side with 17 goals in all competitions.
Sunday’s Italian top-flight clash with Frosinone even saw the 27-year-old Colombian bag four goals to bring his league tally to 14 in 19 appearances and continue a run of eight consecutive games with his name on the scoresheet.
The 6 foot 2 star would easily make for a solid Arnautovic alternative with form like that.
