‘Listen to the offers’: CEO weighs in on £15m Newcastle target’s future

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Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi has now weighed in on the future of Duvan Zapata at the Serie A side, with Newcastle United interested in a potential transfer for the striker this summer.

Atalanta CEO says he’ll ‘listen to the offers’ for Newcastle target Duvan Zapata

Luca Percassi expects Duvan Zapata will stay at Atalanta when the summer transfer market ends, despite interest from Newcastle United in the Colombian’s signature. But the Gewiss Stadium chief admits he will listen to offers as they arrive, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB.

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Zapata still has two years to run on the contract that he agreed with the Bergamo outfit in January 2020. And despite entering the off-season after his worst Serie A campaign with La Dea, Percassi believes the 31-year-old still boasts a ‘fundamental’ presence in their attack.

The 34-cap international struck 10 goals and five assists across 1,731 minutes from 24 top-flight games. Never had Zapata featured as infrequently since he joined Atalanta in a €26m (£22m) operation with Sampdoria in 2018. His previous low was 2,036 minutes in 2019/20.

Zapata’s previous low for Serie A appearances with Atalanta also came in 2019/20 with 28 outings. Yet he scored 18 goals and offered seven assists that season, following a personal-best 23 goals and seven assists in ‘18/19 and before his 15 goals and 10 assists in 2020/21.

Eddie Howe interested in Duvan Zapata moving to Tyneside this summer

Newcastle are interested in now prising Zapata away from Atalanta to add further depth to Eddie Howe’s offence. The Northern Echo noted that the Toon sought to hold talks with La Dea during July, after the Mirror reported the Magpies were aware he could join for £15m.

But the Tyneside natives must present a very appealing offer for Percassi to sell the 6 ft 2 brute. Otherwise he may play when Atalanta start the new Serie A season at Sampdoria on August 13. Newcastle start the Premier League term with Nottingham Forest on August 6.

“For me, [Luis Muriel and Zapata] will remain at Atalanta,” La Dea CEO Percassi predicted. “Atalanta want to strengthen themselves. As always, it is right that you listen to the offers that may come, but we believe these two players are fundamental.”