Newcastle United now hope to hold talks with Atalanta in the coming days over a potential move for Duvan Zapata, having dropped their interest in Alexander Isak and Moussa Diaby.
That’s according to The Northern Echo, who claim Toon chiefs have now turned attentions to Zapata as deals for Isak or Diaby are out of the club’s price range. Eddie Howe has eyed the pair, as the Magpies strive to have another striker with Callum Wilson and Chris Wood.
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Diaby was Howe’s number one target to improve the St James’ Park frontline this summer. But Bayer Leverkusen have refused to drop their €60m (£51m) valuation of the Frenchman during negotiations. Newcastle also sense the winger’s wage demands are too substantial.
Newcastle plan Atalanta talks for Zapata as Diaby and Isak interest cools off
Isak’s name has also been scrubbed from the Magpies’ shortlist following discussions with Real Sociedad over the Sweden international. His La Liga outfit demanded Newcastle paid the full release clause in his contract, which The Telegraph report is worth €90m (£76.5m).
Interest in Chelsea forward Armando Broja remains. But whilst Newcastle wait to learn if the Albanian will be available, Toon chiefs wish to discuss a deal for Zapata with Atalanta. Howe sees the Colombian as a worthy alternative, and hopes to hold talks over the coming days.
Newcastle pursuing Zapata comes as a revival of Howe’s interest in the Atalanta forward from January. The Magpies sought to negotiate a loan-to-buy deal but refused to pay the £8m fee La Dea demanded for a temporary move, on top of the £35m option to buy him.
Wood instead arrived on Tyneside from Burnley after Howe paid the £25m release clause in his contract. But Newcastle hope to revive their interest in Zapata and now sign him for only £20m, after negotiations between Atalanta and Inter Milan broke down earlier this summer.
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However, while The Northern Echo cite a £20m valuation as Newcastle prepare to revive their interest in Zapata, TuttoMercatoWEB note Atalanta still value him at around €40m (£34m). They also cite the Magpies as offering €5m (£4.25m) for his loan during January.
The temporary move would have featured a €30m (£25.5m) obligation to buy dependent on the Toon’s Premier League survival. Now, Newcastle hope Zapata would be interested in joining Howe’s squad in a straight up permanent transfer after four years with Atalanta.
Zapata still has two years to run on his contract at the Gewiss Stadium after penning fresh terms in 2020. He also produced his worst Serie A season so far for La Dea since moving to Bergamo last term, having hit 10 goals in 24 games – down from 23, 18 and 15 previously.
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