Everton could be set to move for a striker, perhaps in retaliation to the activity of their relegation rivals. They have now learnt the asking price for one target...

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That's according to Italian publication TuttoMercatoWeb, who state that Atalanta are slowly becoming resigned to losing their Colombian marksman Duvan Zapata.

Within the report, it claims that the Bergamo-based outfit will demand a fee of no less than €20m (£17.5m) to sanction his exit.

They then link the various reports that the same publication have written regarding which Premier League teams are showing an interest, with the Toffees battling with one other rival.

Avenge Ings deal

This opportunity could mark a chance for Frank Lampard to instantly avenge his failed pursuit of Danny Ings, who despite interest from the Merseyside outfit opted to join West Ham United.

David Moyes' side remain level on points with his former club at the foot of the table, and following this move seem set to push away from the financially hamstrung Blues who would have benefitted from the talents of the former Aston Villa striker.

That was, until this outpouring of recent rumours that suggest a concrete interest in Zapata.

It seems they could be set to instantly put the failures of one foregone deal behind them, moving swiftly onto their next target.

There is no denying that a striker is of the utmost priority, and to sign someone boasting the quality and physical assets that the 31-year-old has could be imperative in their survival bid. 

The 6 foot 2 titan has all the characteristics of a successful number nine, with many of those that have come before him at Goodison Park focusing their game around strength, pace and dynamism.

Zapata boasts all three of these and more, as outlined by journalist Matteo Bonetti, who labelled him "A freight train of a striker" and "One of the most prolific goal scorers in Europe."

His immense strength allows him to rank in the top 14% for aerials won when compared with other strikers across Europe, yet poses a constant goal threat as he also sits in the top 7% for shot-creating actions too.

Whilst injuries have hampered this campaign, his lethal nature has been exacerbated over the seasons prior to the current one.

Goals are at a premium for Lampard's side, so any addition would be instrumental.

Meanwhile, Zapata has struck double figures in every Serie A campaign since 2016, with particular emphasis on his 23-goal campaign during the 2019/20 season.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin unreliable - given his persistent injury woes - and Ings no longer an option, the Goodison Park faithful would soon forget about all these issues should this hulking marksman come in and fire them away from danger.