EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd scouts impressed by deadly Atalanta loan forward
TEAMtalk understands that Colombian ace Duvan Zapata is emerging as a possible target for Manchester United.
The Red Devils are enduring problems with a lack of forwards having allowed Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to depart in the summer.
Now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to have confirmed to the club’s hierarchy that he would like a new forward, despite teenager Mason Greenwood’s breakthrough into the first-team squad.
A report by Italian outlet Calciomercato (via SportWitness) this week claimed that United are ‘interested’ in capturing the signature of Zapata.
And TEAMtalk understands United’s scouts are looking at a number of different options, but one player who is believed to have impressed is Atalanta striker Zapata, who blasted 28 goals last season.
Zapata has started this season in fine style with four goals in four starts for Atalanta.
The 28-year-old, who almost joined West Ham at the start of his career, is actually in the second year of a two-year loan from Sampdoria, but Atalanta have the option to seal his signature for £10million, which they will take as they could easily treble their money by selling him on.
Zapata though says he has no thoughts about leaving Atalanta despite enduring an intense pre-season.
“I had never seen such intensive pre-season training as Gasperini’s with Atalanta. There were moments when I thought, I simply can’t do this. I can’t. I’d wait 30 seconds and then go again,” Zapata told Tuttosport.
“Our only objective is to be protagonists, so we don’t name targets. My personal aim is to improve consistently and score as many goals as possible. Gasperini is a pleasure to work with, even if it’s exhausting.
“I am not even thinking about the idea of leaving Atalanta. In football, as in life, you do not know what the future holds, but I have no thoughts other than doing my best for Atalanta.”