Everton have been scouting Duvan Zapata as the Merseyside club are looking for options on the attacking front. Romelu Lukaku is set to move after his breakthrough season and given the current situation, Ronald Koeman would need the services of a forward for the upcoming season.
Everton have sent a number of scouts and their Director of Football Steve Walsh to figure out potential targets. The Toffees have already started to implement plans for the next season as they have already secured the services of Jordan Pickford from Sunderland and Davy Klaassen from Ajax recently.
But Koeman is yet to venture into the attacking prospects. The Merseyside club has shown greater potential last season but are still lacking in their finishing product. Koeman would be adamant to make some statement in the upcoming season by making some influential signings. The Dutch manager has turned his attention towards building a squad capable of challenging the top teams.
Zapata spent the season on loan at Udinese from Napoli and had a decent season for the Italian side. He has netted 10 goals in the Italian top tier in 38 appearances. Napoli have demanded a hefty €25m for a player who is not even in the first team squad. Everton are unlikely to budge on their demand and would discuss further negotiations with the club.
Everton scout Carlo Jacomuzzi has admitted that they are considering a number of signings including Zapata but Napoli’s demand is too high for the player.
Everton are also planning to raid AC Milan for Carlos Bacca. The Colombian striker had a very fruitful season with the San Siro side and the Merseyside club are very eager to get him on board.
Zapata happens to be a Colombian too and has earned his maiden cap for his country in March this year. The forward has been with Udinese for the last two years after failing to gather much momentum in the Napoli side.
But Everton have made it clear that they will either approach Bacca or Zapata as there won’t be enough room for both the players. Zapata is more of an unknown quality and spending a hefty amount on him would not make sense for the Toffees who are adamant to build a squad with adequate depth.
Rather they should go all-out for Bacca who is proven in the big league and also has definite European experience under his belt.
