Everton back in the contention to sign €18 million forward as player no longer indispensable

Everton went to lengths to sign a striker in the January transfer window. The Toffees were in desperate need of a striker but failed to sign a single forward in the winter transfer window. Everton briefly tried to sign Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata but were dealt with a blow.

The Toffees were linked with more than a dozen attackers in the winter transfer window as Everton hoped to strengthen their weak strike force that hadn’t delivered until now. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has struggled with injuries, meanwhile, Neal Maupay simply hasn’t delivered.

Everton’s goalscoring has been a point of concern all season and despite managing two wins in the last three games, new boss Sean Dyche will be aware of the lack of a goalscoring threat in the team. Everton have the joint lowest goal tally with 17 goals in 23 games.

Everton in contention to sign Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata in the summer

At this point, EFC cannot make many changes but summer will be the time when they will look to invest in a striker and bring a ruthless forward to support Calvert-Lewin. Atalanta striker Zapata was on Everton’s winter shortlist with the Merseysiders enquiring about the Colombian on a loan deal.

The Toffees proposed a loan deal with an option to buy but the Serie A side knocked back all the offers, stating that the 31 year old is not for sale as manager Giampaolo Gasperini counts on the Colombian.

However, that stance seems to be changing. According to Tutto Atalanta, Everton remain in the hunt to sign Zapata in the summer. Torino are looking for a striker in the summer transfer window and have Zapata on their shortlist. However, they are set to face competition from Everton who had enquired about the forward in January. Zapata is no longer considered an indispensable part of the Atalanta side.

With his deal running out in 2024, his price tag in the summer could be affordable and Everton remain in the mix to sign the Colombian. He is valued at €18 million by Transfermarkt and any interested party is likely to get a deal done in that region in the summer. The 31 year old has struggled with injuries this season which raises a few questions as Everton are already dealing with an injury prone striker.

If Zapata is able to put those niggles to rest, he is a lethal striker who could thrive in the Premier League and Everton could benefit from having a partnership of Calvert-Lewin and Zapata.

Should the Toffees sign Duvan Zapata?