Nottingham Forest were linked with Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata in January and now they could sign him for just £10 million. The Sunday Mirror (26/02; page 73) claims that Zapata will be allowed to leave Atalanta in the summer after a bust-up with Gian Piero Gasperini.
Everton and West Ham also tried to sign the striker. The Toffees actually came the closest to landing him, proposing a loan-to-buy deal but as with other targets, they left it too late in the day to do a deal.
It would appear as though Everton seems the most likely destination for Zapata. Forest and West Ham both signed strikers during the January transfer window and they might not go back in for the player.
Zapata has been one of the most feared marksmen in Italy for around a decade. He’s bagged 80 goals in 179 games for Atalanta, although he has found the net just once this season.
The 31-year-old is also an international player. For Colombia he hasn’t proved quite as prolific, scoring just four goals from his 34 appearances for his country.
Forest added Chris Wood to their ranks in January. He recently scored in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City and is the same age as Zapata.
Forest-linked Zapata could be available at a bargain price
It does perhaps seem unlikely that Forest will move for the player again. If the Reds do go for another striker, it looks as though it will be a player that is younger with his best years ahead of him.
Zapata has a very impressive record in Italy. For whatever reason, however, it’s just not quite worked out for him this season and a move is on the cards.
Interestingly, Forest and Everton both have work to do before they can target any players. The pair of clubs face a real battle to stay in the Premier League and their full focus must be on the survival mission.
Zapata looks likely to leave Atalanta in the summer. Whether Forest deem it necessary to go back in for him remains to be seen.