Fabrizio Romano gives update on Everton interest in Duvan Zapata

By Sam Preston

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Everton are now ready to approach Atalanta over the signing of their striker Duvan Zapata.

The Toffees have been linked with Zapata in recent days as they search for a striker to replace the goals of Richarlison, who left in the summer.

It has been reported that the Colombian international would cost £17.5 million, which is not huge money by modern Premier League standards, but could prove considerable for Everton.

If a new striker comes in and secures Premier League football for another season, that would effectively pay back his transfer fee anyway.

Romano offers update on Everton interest in Zapata

The journalist tweeted that Everton are now ready to approach the Serie A club directly to negotiate a transfer but the two sides are apart on the type of deal.

Everton would seemingly like a loan with an option, perhaps to protect themselves financially in the event they do go down.

But Atalanta want a guaranteed fee, as things stand, and it will remain to be seen after negotiations whether there is any wiggle room on that.

South American football expert and journalist Tim Vickery has already delivered his verdict on Zapata when he was linked with Newcastle last year.

Vickery said, as quoted by The Express: “It is often a question we have to field and we come back saying ‘well, it will be interesting to see how he copes with the physicality of the Premier League’.

“It is not a question we really need to pose, however, with Duvan Zapata. In fact, you flip that one and it goes the other way around. Are the Premier League centre-backs prepared for the physicality of Duvan Zapata?

“He is a beast, he is a fearsome prospect there and he can look after himself up front with a lot of talent as well.”