Mexican marksman Armando ‘Hormiga’ Gonzalez has given West Ham United some hope ahead of the summer transfer window with a move away from Chivas Guadalajara anticipated.
According to reports, the Hammers held talks with Gonzalez’s camp ahead of the January transfer window.
Callum Wilson is due to leave on a free at the end of the current Premier League campaign, meaning that there will be space in Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad for another striker to compete with Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe.
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Taty Castellanos of West Ham United celebrates scoring their 3rd goal with Crysencio Summerville during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on April 10, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.
When West Ham United came calling a few months back, Armando Gonzalez opted to remain at his beloved Chivas beyond January.
With a place in Mexico’s World Cup squad his to lose, the youngster felt that this was not the right time to risk making such a move.
West Ham United have a shot at Armando ‘Hormiga’ Gonzalez
In conversation with El Informador, however, Gonzalez acknowledges that he would be fulfilling a ‘dream’ following in the footsteps of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez this side of the Atlantic when the time comes to say goodbye.
Armando Gonzalez during Mazatlan FC v Chivas - Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX
Photo by Sergio Mejia/Getty Images
“It’s one of my goals and objectives to be able to play in one of these major leagues,” Gonzalez says. “Because what I want is to play at the highest level of football, to be one of the best players [to represent] Mexico.
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“I have many dreams. One of them is to play in Europe, but I’m currently a Chivas player.”
Speaking on his Play It YouTube channel last month, reporter Alex Ramirez stated that West Ham United have been watching Gonzalez ‘for a long time’.
Capped six times by El Tri, the £15 million-rated Gonzalez is leading Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal.
His tally of 24 goals in 32 Liga MX games is the greatest tally recorded by any player under the age of 23 this season.
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West Ham United's Greek defender #15 Konstantinos Mavropanos celebrates scoring the team's first goal during a English Premier League football match
Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
Gonzalez can really announce himself for Mexico at the World Cup
Barcelona, Celtic and Spartak Moscow have also been linked.
But while Borussia Dortmund are keen to bring Konstantinos Mavropanos back to Germany, the Bundesliga giants are not expected to challenge West Ham for Gonzalez’s signature.
“I also used to watch Manchester United when Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney were there. I liked Samuel Eto’o,” Gonzalez adds, while also expressing his admiration for Mexico legend and former Chivas mentor Chicharito.
“I knew that as soon as I got a chance, I was going to score as many goals as I could. I knew I had to be ready for when that opportunity came. I’m happy. I try to do my best, improve every day.
“I’m very happy, very excited to be able to play in a World Cup. God willing, I’ll be considered to represent my country, which I think is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you as a footballer. Now imagine being at home, with your people!
“I’m very excited and happy.”
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