Nottingham Forest have made contact to sign Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata this month, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Reinforcements needed
The Premier League side have recently secured back-to-back top-flight victories for the first time this season but are still in need of attacking reinforcements to ensure they avoid relegation, having scored just 15 times, less than four of the teams below them.
The Colombian’s contract at the Gewiss Stadium isn’t set to expire until 2024, but having been frozen out of the team thanks to Rasmus Hojlund’s performances, a path has now opened up for the 31-year-old to seal a move away before the end of the window.
The Latest: Forest submit enquiry
According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness), Forest have ‘asked for information’ regarding Zapata’s current availability ahead of a potential transfer this January.
Steve Cooper’s side are ‘interested’ in the forward but are set to face competition from rivals Everton, who have also made ‘contact’.
The Reds are eyeing an initial loan deal with the option to buy, and whilst that’s not what the Serie A giants are after, should the club ‘change the cards on the table’, there’s every chance that an agreement could be reached.
The Verdict: Get it done…
Zapata has been dubbed a ‘monster’ by Serie A reporter David Amoyal and Evangelos Marinakis needs to act fast to make sure he gets this deal over the line ahead of his competitors.
The Nike-sponsored player has clocked up an outstanding 120 goal contributions in just 174 appearances for Atalanta and currently ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive passes received, showing he is always getting in good positions to receive the ball up front.
Forest also bought Remo Freuler from the same side last summer, so this existing connection between the two parties could give the Midlands outfit the advantage in the race for Zapata’s signature.