Everton are reportedly poised to make a bid for Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata, as they continue their pursuit of him, as relays the TeamTalk.
Zapata joined Atalanta on loan in the summer of 2018, and his move became permanent in January 2020 when Atalanta spent €12million on him. He has since established himself as a reliable scorer in Serie A, with 80 goals in 181 appearances for the club. Zapata’s goals helped Atalanta secure three consecutive third-place finishes in Serie A between 2018 and 2021, as well as reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League in the 2019-20 campaign.
However, both Zapata and Atalanta have struggled with injuries lately. Last season, the Colombian striker’s goal output was reduced to 13 strikes, and this season, he has only scored once in 19 appearances due to further injury problems. This has reportedly caused a significant drop in Zapata’s transfer value, which Everton is keen to capitalize on.
Despite a recent dip in form, Everton views the potential acquisition of Zapata as an excellent opportunity to improve their performance in the Premier League. The club believes that they can keep the striker fit and regain his scoring touch in the English top flight. With Zapata’s contract expiring in 2024 and his form affecting his value, the Toffees are hopeful they can sign him at a reduced cost.
The team is reportedly willing to offer €15m (£13.1m), which is significantly less than the €45m valuation placed on the player in 2020. Although Atalanta may be willing to accept Everton’s proposal due to Zapata’s current struggles and contract situation, the striker recently declared his intention to stay at his current club. Nonetheless, Everton seems undeterred and eager to sign him. However, given the small budget that manager Sean Dyche has at his disposal, offering an attractive contract could prove challenging.