Who is Duvan Zapata? The €35m spearhead of Newcastle revolution?

24 Feb 2022 12:00 GMT
4 min read

Newcastle United were the biggest spenders in the January transfer window, splashing out over €100 million of their Saudi riches on the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett.

And they are already planning for more big-name players in the summer, with FootballTransfers understanding that they are still interested in signing €35m-rated Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata.

Article continues under the video

So what do we know about the Colombian, who would become the spearhead of the Newcastle attack?

How old is Duvan Zapata?

Duvan Zapata was born on 1 April 1991. He is 30 years old.

What position does Duvan Zapata play?

Zapata is a striker. His best role is as a target man but he is just as capable of playing as a lone frontman as he is in a front two.

© ProShots - Zapata has been one of Serie A's best players over the last four years

How good is Duvan Zapata?

Zapata has been one of the best strikers in Serie A for the last four years, ever since joining Atalanta in 2018.

He has spent the last nine years of his career in Italy, also playing for Napoli, Udinese and Sampdoria.

Zapata has been one of the best goalscorers in Italy during that time, finding the net over 150 times in all competitions in his career.

The 30-year-old is a complete frontman who is best known for his physical qualities. He boasts bull-like strength – with muscles bursting out of his body – and is an expert and holding up the ball and playing with his back to play.

At 6ft 2in, he is also excellent in the air and he thus fits the role of a target man or lone frontman perfectly.

Zapata is quick over the floor and is able to burst past his man with either power or pace.

But he is no slouch technically and can use and move off both feet well. He links up the play well with his teammates and is just as comfortable playing in a two-man attack as he is on his own.

© ProShots - Zapata scored the winner at Juventus earlier in the season

Zapata is also strong mentally and never shies away from the battle. He often rises to the big occasion and this season alone has scored against Juventus, Milan and important Champions League games against Manchester United and Villarreal.

What clubs are interested in Duvan Zapata?

Zapata has been one of the most wanted strikers in Serie A for a few seasons now. Last summer there was heavy interest from the Premier League, but in particular from Inter in Serie A.

The Nerazzurri tried to sign Zapata as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku but after Atalanta rejected the bid they went for Edin Dzeko instead. Juventus also wanted to sign Zapata to replace Cristiano Ronaldo but were put off by Zapata’s price tag.

In January, both Newcastle and West Ham had bids rejected. FootballTransfers now understands that Newcastle are preparing a new bid this summer.