Everton will have ‘more conversations’ with Atalanta over the availability of striker Duvan Zapata, journalist Fabrizio Romano has informed GiveMeSport.

The Toffees are known to be eager to snap up the 31-year-old in what remains of the January transfer window as they look to bolster their faltering forward line.

Everton transfer news – Duvan Zapata

Romano wrote in his CaughtOffside column that Everton are ‘prepared to approach’ the Serie A outfit for their ageing attacker in the winter transfer window.

“Everton are prepared to approach Atalanta to negotiate for Colombian striker Duvan Zapata,” he wrote.

“Intermediaries will work on the deal with Everton open to loan with option clause proposal. Atalanta would only be open to discussing a permanent transfer for Zapata, as things stand.”

However, the Daily Mail claim that the Merseyside outfit could face stiff competition from Premier League rivals West Ham United and Nottingham Forest for the South American.

The same report states that Atalanta value Zapata, who has 18 months left on his current contract, at £25 million, and that Everton and West Ham have both asked about him.

What has Romano said about Zapata?

Romano has now provided an update on Everton’s pursuit of Zapata, disclosing that it is not an ‘easy’ deal to pull off.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

In an interview with GMS, he said: “Zapata is not easy too because they're offering a loan with an option to buy, and Atalanta want a permanent move for Zapata.

“So, there will be more conversations between Everton and Atalanta about this Colombian striker.”

Would Zapata be a good signing?

Zapata has established himself as one of Serie A’s deadliest marksmen in recent season, registering 19 goals and nine assists in 33 appearances for Atalanta in 2019/20.

The stocky striker then carried that form into the subsequent campaign, finding the back of the net on 19 occasions in 49 outings, setting up 14 further strikes for his teammates.

And Zapata maintained his clinical nature in front of goal last term, racking up 20 goal contributions in just 32 games for La Dea.

Nevertheless, his form has dropped off a cliff in the first half of this season, and he has only scored one goal in 12 fixtures, providing just two assists to boot.

Spending £25m on a player in such poor form may be a risk that Everton have to take given their current situation, though, and the club’s hierarchy will surely be hoping he can get back to his best should he make the switch.