Newcastle United's recruitment team are no strangers to Atalanta star Duvan Zapata.
The Colombian striker, now 30, has been checked out dozens of times by various Newcastle scouts down the years and after 12 goals for the Serie A side this term it's no wonder his name has cropped up once again.
Current head of recruitment Steve Nickson has a dossier on Zapata after multiple scouting missions to Italy before and after the pandemic.
Zapata has netted 76 goals for Atalanta and his current deal with the Champions League-chasing side ends in 18 months meaning he will be looking for a big pay day, either via his exit with the Bergamo outfit or with a new deal.
Zapata has previously spoken about an ambition to test himself in the Premier League and if this deal was to become a reality it would be one of the sensations of the January transfer window across Europe.
That said Atalanta are getting used to links with Newcastle for their talented squad.
Germany international Robin Gosens is believed to be on United's wanted list but their outspoken director Umberto Marino has already tried to shoot down such rumours for the soon-to-be-fit left-sided player.
He said: "Every day we read in the newspapers of Atalanta players in talks with Newcastle.
"It seems like a lottery.
"We're waiting for Gosens to come back from injury"
As we've already seen in this window with Newcastle though, money talks.
And if they can get anywhere near Zapata in terms of talking personal terms, the striker's arrival would spark plenty of excitement on Tyneside.
It would probably be as big of a moment transfer-wise as Tino Asprilla's arrival at St James' Park in 1996 when he swaggered across the car park in a fur coat as the snow came down!
No longer can big-name or big-money signings be discounted at Newcastle though.
The Zapata deal would arguably win the transfer window if United could pull it off.
Zapata's agent had no comment when approached by Chronicle Live today.
The Manchester United star looking for the perfect move
Newcastle have been linked with Anthony Martial throughout the window with talk of a possible loan deal.
Journalists in France have been intrigued by the links with the Magpies but those close to Martial have indicated he isn't keen on Newcastle or the other Premier League option in Spurs.
It's believed he is keen on a big move to a club on the Continent.
Martial has not played for Man United since December 2.
Barcelona option off the list for Newcastle
Barca's Samuel Umtiti signed a new deal with the Nou Camp club last week when he extended his deal but accepted lower pay to help balance the books.
But Umtiti was still available for transfer and the French international was a viable option for Newcastle on loan, providing they were prepared to pay some of his wages.
However, Barca and Newcastle were dealt a blow when the defender injured his foot in training and has now gone under the knife.
He is expected to miss most of the remainder of the season.
