Newcastle pushes towards Zapata

Newcastle are stepping up their attempts to cancel a loan-to-buy deal for Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata.

The Colombian star, 30, wants to join Jordes and Tone officials are trying to structure a loan deal with the option of a permanent summer deal.

Atalanta Zapata is valued at around £34m and is looking at a loan fee in the region of £8m as part of the powerful striker’s package, who has also played in Italy with Napoli, Udinese and Sampdoria.

Newcastle had no luck with Zapata’s initial move and turned their sights to Chris Wood, who was signed from relegating rivals Burnley last week in a £25m deal.

Early in the transfer window this month, Newcastle were alerted to the presence of outcast Arsenal player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and offered the Gabon striker on loan in order to strike a potential permanent summer deal.

But Aubameyang, 32, is now attracting similar interest from Saudi club Al Hilal and Al Nasr, having obtained a full heart check after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he tested positive for Covid-19. .

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, 24, is keeping an eye on the Championship side Nottingham Forest, who understand his contract will expire at the end of the season and could entice Tone with a £2m bid.

Before he was sacked by Everton a week ago, former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez had been directed to make a move for Longstaff this month.

Longstaff’s brother, fellow Newcastle midfielder Matty, 21, remained a loan target for Carlisle and Harrogate in the second league, after his temporary spell with Aberdeen was interrupted by a lack of match time with the Scottish Premier League.