Inter have reportedly rekindled their interest in Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata as they are actively searching for an alternative for Edin Dzeko. According to SempreInter, the reigning Serie A champions are ready to launch a new assault on the Colombian striker when the transfer window reopens for business in the summer.
However, Inter are only willing to sign Zapata on certain conditions. The 31-year-old has less than two years left to run on his current contract in Bergamo, and the Nerazzurri would only accept a cut-price deal. Given the striker’s troublesome season at the Gewiss Stadium, that is not out of the realm of possibility.
Inter signed Edin Dzeko from Roma last summer as a short-term replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who returned to Chelsea in a blockbuster deal. Even though the Bosnian veteran has enjoyed more than a decent season at Giuseppe Meazza, he is already 36.
Since Inter can ill-afford to rely on Dzeko to shoulder the scoring burden next season, they are in the market for a new marksman. Zapata is an old target for the Nerazzurri CEO Beppe Marotta following a couple of stellar seasons at Atalanta.
The Colombia international has developed into one of the most lethal goal-getters in Serie A under Gian Piero Gasperini’s stewardship. However, an injury-hit season has seen Zapata tumble down the pecking order in Bergamo, with Luis Muriel regaining his status as Atalanta’s leading star.
Therefore, La Dea could consider offloading their prized asset in the summer to avoid the risk of losing him on a free transfer at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. That could open the door for Inter, who, despite losing Lukaku, are still the most prolific Serie A side this season.
But Inter face the prospect of surrendering the Scudetto to arch-rivals Milan following a series of underwhelming performances in the past couple of months. Simone Inzaghi’s men currently trail the table-topping Rossoneri by six points, with eight league matches left to go.