Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Duvan Zapata this summer.
That’s according to TMW in Italy, who claim the Magpies are considering a bid to sign the 31-year-old striker from Atalanta.
Eddie Howe’s side are currently in the market for a forward, having spent the start of the summer focussing on the defence.
But now Newcastle need to add more goals to their team, which is why Zapata is being linked. The Toon have tried and failed to sign Hugo Ekitike, while they face competition to land Armando Broja.
Meanwhile, other options such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ivan Toney have proven to be too expensive.
Zapata is a new name this summer, but he isn’t a new name for Newcastle in 2022.
Newcastle have been interested in Zapata before
The Magpies started the year in need of a striker. Callum Wilson was injured and Newcastle needed goals to avoid relegation.
Chris Wood arrived for £25million from Burnley, but that didn’t end our striker pursuit. Zapata was also targeted.
The club reportedly made an offer to loan the forward for the rest of the season, then the deal would become permanent if we avoided relegation. However, Atalanta said no to the bid, which was worth £25million in total.
Newcastle missed out, but are apparently back in the mix this summer.
No chance of a move to St James’ Park
TMW add that Atalanta value Zapata at around £34million. That should already tell you that this deal probably isn’t going to happen.
A fee worth that much would make him one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever, despite not fitting the profile of what we’re looking for.
The Magpies are looking for a young forward, which is why the likes of Ekitike and Broja have been linked. In contrast, Zapata is 31 and represents no resale value.
The January interest made sense – it was needs must. But we’re in a better place now, and a move for Zapata would be a real shock.
Combine this with reports from the Mirror at the weekend that we’ve been offered him and it’s clear something isn’t right here.
‘Zapata to Newcastle’ is a transfer rumour to definitely ignore.
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