Everton

Everton

Premier League • England

Everton see another Serie A striker bid knocked back as loan to buy plan hits the rocks

Duvan Zapata representing Atalanta

Everton saw a deadline day move for Colombian striker Duvan Zapata rejected by Serie A club Atalanta, TEAMtalk understands.

The Premier League strugglers failed to bring in a new player during the January transfer to boost their fight for survival, although they did change managers after swapping Frank Lampard for Sean Dyche

The Toffees are understood to have seen several potential deals for a new striker collapse for various different reasons on deadline day.

TEAMtalk can reveal Atalanta forward Zapata was one of those striker targets that Everton failed to land before the transfer window slammed shut.

Everton offered to pay a loan fee to sign Zapata on an initial temporary basis, with an obligation to make the deal permanent if they stayed up in the Premier League.

However, Atalanta turned down the offer as they were seeking a permanent transfer, if they were to allow the forward to leave before the transfer deadline.

As the two clubs could not agree a deal the move fell through leaving Dyche short of attacking options, having sold Anthony Gordon to Newcastle earlier in the window.

In-demand Zapata could also be summer target

Zapata was also a target for Southampton in the January transfer window. But the South American will now stay at Atalanta and come the summer he will be in the final year of his contract at the Serie A side.

The 31-year-old forward was not the only Serie A forward being chased by the Toffees on deadline day.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea attacker Olivier Giroud was also on their radar. However, the Frenchman decided to decline their offer.

Everton are back in action on Saturday when they face the daunting prospect of welcoming table-topping Arsenal to Goodison.

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