Everton could now sign Newcastle target Duvan Zapata after Atalanta showed a willingness to sell the striker on a permanent basis.
What’s the story?
Well, the Toffees have opened talks with Atalanta over a loan deal for the Colombia international, with Frank Lampard hoping to negotiate an option to buy, rather than an obligatory purchase clause.
That was according to Fabrizio Romano.
It comes after Calciomercato claimed that Newcastle want to sign Zapata this month.
However, it seems as if the Serie A outfit are not interested in entertaining Everton’s wish to loan the 31-year-old before committing to a permanent deal.
Romano believes the Italian side are happy to sell their No.91 to Everton on a permanent basis, but only that.
They are not interested in giving the Toffees a trial period involving Zapata, before those at Goodison Park decide whether to sign him permanently at the end of the campaign.
So far this season, the South American has scored one goal in 12 Serie A appearances.
In fairness, it has been an injury-hit campaign for Zapata, who has struggled to find his rhythm.
Across the past two seasons, the Colombian has proven himself to be a lethal marksman, scoring 19 goals and 13 goals in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns respectively.
In total, Zapata has scored 80 goals in 174 appearances for Atalanta, who paid €26m (£23m) to sign him from Sampdoria in January 2020 after an initial two-year loan spell.
Everton & Newcastle would be taking a risk with Zapata
In our view, it would be a risk for Lampard or Eddie Howe to commit to a permanent deal for Zapata, with Atalanta unwilling to agree a loan.
Despite his past goalscoring efforts, the 31-year-old has only scored one goal this season as previously mentioned, and there is no guarantee that he will return to his prior self.
Therefore, we believe Everton or Newcastle should only agree to sign Zapata if they can have a look at him on loan first.
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