Newcastle must move quick with reported target Zapata offered to Chelsea

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Newcastle United should step up their reported interest in centre-forward Duvan Zapata.

It is no secret that Newcastle United need to improve their options in attack this summer and finding a striker that can provide a regular source of goals would be ideal.

The Magpies are in the hunt to sign striker Duvan Zapata this summer alongside Southampton and Chinese club Jiangsu Suning, according to Italian newspaper Secolo XIX.

The Daily Mail now reports in its live blog (2:56pm, 10 July) that Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign the centre-forward, who only made a £17.5million move from Napoli to Sampdoria this summer.

Sampdoria had an obligation to buy him permanently after he impressed on loan last season and Jiangsu Suning have offered £7.5million to take him straight away on loan, while Atleticio Madrid are also considering the in-demand ace.

Chelsea are reportedly stalling on any potential deal due to the fact they need to offload some of their foreign contingent first to adhere to a homegrown quota.

Newcastle must seize on Chelsea’s situation by ramping up interest in Zapata and try to bring him to the Premier League for next season, where he can replace the likes of Joselu and Dwight Gayle in attack.

The 27-year-old has proven himself to be a decent goalscorer in the Italian league, netting 40 times in 131 Serie A matches during his career.

The Colombian has great pace and power to his game, something that could see him solve the striker problem at St James’ Park next season and thrive in the Premier League.

Newcastle supporters are growing restless waiting for a striker to join Rafael Benitez’s side and this may be the opening they need to try strike a deal.