A report from Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has claimed that Newcastle United’s chase of Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata is only in the media.
The Magpies were acquired earlier in the season by a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium and have since then, been very active in the transfer window looking for players who will begin their new project.
They were quick to sign Kieran Trippier from Atlético de Madrid and Chris Wood from Burnley, but the noveau-riche club is not backing down from the window just yet as they are ready to match any financial obligations for the players in their radar.
Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata, 30, is one of their top attacking targets and the club have made a €30 million bid for the Colombian to Atalanta which was rejected according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.
Calciomercato also reports that Newcastle will be presenting an improved offer of €40 million in the coming days for the Colombian, which could initiate talks between both clubs.
Should Zapata sign, Newcastle is willing to offer him a salary of €6.5 million, triple of his current salary at the Bergamo club.
Zapata joined Gian Piero Gasperini’s side in 2018 on an initial loan deal, but went on to convince the club to make his deal permanent. He has since turned into one of Serie A’s brightest attacking talents and in 152 appearances for La Dea, he has scored 78 goals and provided 38 assists.
Despite the reports from Calciomercato, Downie, however, has come out to say that the club isn’t interested in Zapata.
In an interview with GiveMeSport, the Sky Sports journalist said: “A source close to the club, close to Newcastle, is suggesting that he isn’t a player of interest.”
It remains to be seen if Downie’s comments ring true, as multiple sources along with Calciomercato keep reporting otherwise.
Magpies identify replacement for top defensive target
Newcastle United have reportedly identified Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady as a new potential alternative to top defensive target Diego Carlos.
Transfer journalist Rudy Galetti claims that Newcastle are looking at several defensive options in case their chase for Sevilla man Diego Carlos fails to materialise.
The Brazilian defender is keen to leave Sevilla in January but the Andalusian club are not studying any deals for him just yet. Newcastle looks like his potential destination but with Sevilla stalling on the deal, Conor Coady has emerged as a new alternative.
Reports also claim that an interest from Tottenham Hotspur could potentially stand in the way of the Magpies’ Diego Carlos bid.
Alongside Conor Coady, Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Manchester City’s Nathan Ake are other targets in case the Magpies cannot get their man.
However, it remains to be seen whether Wolves will want to release their captain in January, as they are already bracing up for the loss of Adama Traore to Tottenham this month.
