The path may be clearing for West Ham United in pursuit of Chivas de Guadalajara and Mexico marksman Armando ‘Hormiga’ Gonzalez.
The Hammers were expected to face a battle with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund for one of the hottest strikers outside of European borders.
Now, as the Bundesliga giants play down their interest and as the soon-to-be La Liga champions step up their pursuit of another number nine, the odds on Armando Gonzalez starting next season as a West Ham United player may just have shortened.
Mexican marksman on West Ham’s radar! 🇲🇽 ⚽
How would you convince Armando Gonzalez to snub Barcelona and Dortmund?
Armando Gonzalez of Mexico, celebrates after scoring a goal during an international friendly match between Mexico and Iceland at La Corregidora Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Queretaro, Mexico.
Dortmund rule themselves out of Armando Gonzalez race with West Ham United
Speaking to Sport BILD, Lars Ricken – Dortmund’s managing director – ruled out bringing another striker to the Signal Iduna Park in the summer window.
“We have Serhou Guirassy and Fabio Silva in that position. I think we are excellently positioned there,” said Ricken, who famously scored the decisive goal in the 1997 Champions League final victory over Juventus.
Armando Gonzalez celebrates during Chivas v Santos Laguna - Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX
Photo by Emiliano Morales/Jam Media/Getty Images
“We have two of these profiles,” the director adds in response to questions regarding Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade and the future of the aforementioned Guirassy.
“We hear about [Guirassy] leaving every transfer window, and he’s still here. He felt extremely comfortable with us, and there’s no desire to let him go.”
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As for Barcelona, in pursuit of a long-term replacement for veteran Robert Lewandowski, it was revealed last month that talks have been held with Hoffenheim sensation Fisnik Asllani.
“The interest of Barcelona for the player is valid in this moment,” agent Ayman Dahmani tells Erem News. “And there has been contact by the Catalan club.”
Asllani reportedly has a release clause of around £25 million in his Hoffenheim contract. That is reportedly £10 million more than the sum Chivas expect to earn from their own striking starlet.
Prolific Gonzalez could replace Callum Wilson this summer
According to ESPN Mexico reporter Diego Yvey, West Ham reached out to Armando Gonzalez’s representatives a few months ago. Gonzalez put those approaches on the backburner with his full focus on securing a spot in Mexico’s World Cup squad.
When that tournament comes to an end, however, the expectation is that things will heat up pretty quickly.
There will be a spot in Nuno’s squad once Callum Wilson – as expected – leaves on a free.
Pretend you call the shots – what are you doing over Callum Wilson’s future?
Match winner 😍
Callum Wilson celebrates against Tottenham Hotspur for West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Gonzalez has scored the most goals of any Under-23 player in the world’s top 40 leagues in 2025/26. A tally of 24 in just 31 games has also furthered comparisons with Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez; Mexico’s all-time top scorer, a former West Ham poacher, and at one point his mentor behind the scenes at Chivas.
Three more, and Gonzalez will break a 45-year-old record for the most goals scored by a Chivas player in a single season.
He is not the only young striker on the other side of the Atlantic with admirers in East London, though.
Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola reported earlier this week, via his YouTube channel, that West Ham are interested in Palmeiras teenager Heittor Vinicius, even if their fingers have been burned by previous ‘Selecao starlet’ signings.
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