Transfer insider Dean Jones has suggested that Newcastle could still revive their interest in Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata before Monday's 11pm deadline.

The Magpies have been looking to sign a striker in the final days of the transfer window, but it has proved to be a difficult challenge for the club to get a deal over the line.

What's the latest news on Newcastle's pursuit of a striker?

It seemed that Newcastle had finally landed one of their targets when they had a £25m bid accepted by Reims for their teenage attacker Hugo Ekitike. 

The 19-year-old has scored eight Ligue 1 goals this season, and looked to be on his way to St James' Park.

However, it has now been reported that Ekitike is not convinced about the move, and that the transfer will no longer be happening.

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What has Jones said about Newcastle trying to sign a striker?

Newcastle were linked with Zapata earlier in the window, and it was even claimed that they had agreed to pay the Colombian forward £105,000-a-week.

These rumours appear to have died down in recent days, but now that the deal for Ekitike has collapsed, Jones has hinted that Newcastle could make a final play for Zapata, although he did admit that they would have to pay a huge fee for Atalanta to the £29.7m-rated striker go.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones said: “They had kept that Zapata deal on in the background. So, I guess it’s feasible they could turn to that but it’s going to cost a fortune to sign him now, at this stage, to get him out of Atalanta.

“They were already trying to push up the price, so with hours left, I can’t image they’re going to get him at a good price at all. So, not sure where they’ll turn here.”

What are Zapata's stats this season?

The 30-year-old has continued to shine at Atalanta this season. He has scored nine league goals and provided five assists in just 16 Serie A appearances to help his side establish themselves in the top four once more.

He also delivered the goods on the European stage, scoring three goals in the Champions League group stage.

Zapata has shown his class in Italy for a number of years, and if Newcastle could somehow come to an agreement with Atalanta, this would be a major Deadline Day signing for the North-East club.

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