• Club try to smooth £6.8m arrival from Estudiantes • Zapata could arrive through 'special talent' permit route

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

West Ham United have applied for a work permit for the Colombian forward Duván Zapata to try to smooth his £6.8m arrival from Estudiantes.

Zapata scored 14 goals last season for the Argentinian club and has attracted suitors from European clubs including last season's beaten Champions League finalists, Borussia Dortmund.

The 22-year-old has yet to play for his country, even though he is expected to feature in next summer's World Cup finals, and does not satisfy present conditions for a permit. But West Ham will attempt to secure his arrival through the "special talent" route.

They will argue to an appeals panel that the 6ft 2in striker will make a significant contribution to the game in this country and will also point to Colombia's position at No3 in Fifa's rankings in the hope of gaining the green light.

The London club hope to pair him with their record signing, Andy Carroll. Zapata would join Carroll, Razvan Rat and Adrian in moving to Upton Park this summer.