Newcastle United £21m transfer target arrives on Tyneside

The 31-year-old Colombian has been linked with a move to Newcastle since January as Eddie Howe eyes attacking reinforcements.

Since joining Atalanta in 2018, Zapata has scored 79 goals in 162 appearances in all competitions including 13 in 32 last season.

Now the Italian side are reportedly willing to sell the 6ft 2in frontman this summer with Italian newspaper L’Eco Di Bergamo claiming an asking price of €25million (£21.2million) has been set.

With Atalanta not competing in Europe next season, Zapata could be tempted to explore options elsewhere. But he remains involved in Atalanta’s first-team plans as it stands as he played 75 minutes in a 4-0 win over Serie B side Como on Saturday, grabbing an assist for new signing Ederson.

There are question marks as to whether Zapata will be a suitable fit at Newcastle given his age and how adaptable he will be to the club’s style of play.

But Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe will be able to assess Zapata in person later this Friday as the player has travelled with the Atalanta squad to face United in the first of two pre-season friendly matches at St James’s Park.

Atalanta touched down at Newcastle International Airport on Thursday afternoon with Zapata pictured as part of the squad.

The friendly match will take place on Friday, July 29 (7:45pm kick-off) with Newcastle then facing Athletic Bilbao less than 24 hours later with a different side (3pm kick-off).

One week after that, Newcastle will kick-off their Premier League campaign at home to Nottingham Forest.