Atalanta made transfer stance clear as Everton eye loan move for Duvan Zapata
Atalanta have made it clear that they won’t accept any loan bid for Duvan Zapata in the January window, amid reported interest from a host of clubs including Everton.
Fabrizio Romano said to Give Me Sport (18 January) that the Toffees have offered “a loan with an option to buy”, but Atalanta want a permanent move for Zapata.
However, Romano has shared another uodate on 20 January where Atalanta’s position has been made clear with Gian Piero Gasperini saying that the 31-year-old is an “important” player for the club.
“Atalanta told Everton and more English clubs that they are not gonna accept any loan bid for Duvan Zapata, the position is clear as things stand,” wrote Romano.
“Gasperini: “I don’t like all these stories on Zapata. He got injured, he’s an important player for us”, he said.”
Options elsewhere
The Toffees must look for options elsewhere now.
The Merseyside club are operating on a tight budget in the January window that they are looking to buy players on loans mostly.
The club are reportedly close to securing a deal for Arnaut Danjuma. The Villarreal forward has been chased by other Premier League clubs, but 90min reported on 20 January that he has chosen Everton over others.
He will join on loan while the Toffees have the option to sign him permanently next summer.
Zapata is a proven goalscorer for Atalanta, and he could have been a smart addition to the club. However, the Serie A giants are not interested in loan deals at the moment.
The Toffees should look to add another striker or a creative attacking midfielder even if they manage to agree a deal for Danjuma.
Scoring goals is the main problem for the Toffees at the moment, and more quality options are required. The Toffees are 19th in the Premier League table at the moment, and Frank Lampard is under tremendous pressure.