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West Ham have agreed a £6.7million fee to sign hot Colombian prospect Duvan Zapata.

The Hammers have met the $10m valuation of the striker's Argentinian club, Estudiantes, but now the 22-year-old needs to get a work permit.

The powerful 6ft 2in forward starred for Colombia U-20s as they won the Toulon Tournament in 2011 and has scored 14 goals in 23 games this season for Estudiantes.

Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, strengthening a squad that finished 10 last season on their return to the top flight, sanctioned the bid after receiving rave reviews from scouts.

Big Sam hopes to unleash Zapata with new signing Andy Carroll, once the £15m England striker is fit after a heel injury.

West Ham are offering Zapata a four-year contract, with a two-year option, if they get a work permit later this month.

It would be a coup for the Londoners given Lyon of France, Portuguese pair Benfica and Porto and Italy's Udinese are all keen.

Zapata hopes to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Radamel Falcao, who moved from Argentina to Europe and became a goal-scoring superstar.