Atalanta's Duvan Zapata during the warm up before the match
Everton are interested in a summer move for Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata, according to a recent report.
The Lowdown: Everton missed out in January
The Toffees were linked with a move for the Colombian in the January transfer window, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that talks were held, but the two clubs could not reach an agreement.
Everton wanted to bring in the striker on an initial loan with an option to buy, but Atalanta insisted that the deal was permanent, so no agreement came to fruition.
The 31-year-old will have just one year left on his contract at the end of the season, and a move to Goodison Park could still be on the cards…
The Latest: Everton still interested in Zapata…
According to reports from Colombia (via Sport Witness), Everton are still in the mix to sign the forward in the summer despite missing out in January, although there is also interest from elsewhere.
The Atalanta player may be tempted to remain in Serie A amid interest from Torino and Fiorentina, but a move to Merseyside is a possibility, should Sean Dyche‘s team avoid relegation.
The Verdict: Get it done?
Hailed by commentator Matteo Bonetti as a ‘freight train of a striker’ who is ‘excellent in the air’, the marksman has a very impressive scoring record with his current club, netting 80 times in 179 appearances while also claiming 42 assists.
The 34-cap Colombia international not only excels in aerial situations, he is also very good at crafting opportunities which lead to attempts on goal, as indicated by his ranking in the 93rd percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 in the past year.
That said, the former Napoli man is starting to show his age, scoring just once in Serie A all season, having become more of an impact player rather than a regular starter.
As such, Everton should continue to monitor Zapata for the remainder of the campaign, and if his form improves, there are plenty of signs that he would be an astute signing in the summer, especially given the Toffees’ current lack of a potent finisher.
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