"I heard a slight whisper": Downie drops big NUFC claim on live TV, Howe surely gutted - opinion

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Atalanta powerhouse Duvan Zapata…

Magpies reporter Keith Downie has rebuffed claims that the club will make a move for the centre-forward before the window slams shut.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News (21:20), he said: “I heard a slight whisper about an hour ago that they may try for Duvan Zapata. I’m told that is not the case.”

This update will surely leave Eddie Howe gutted as Zapata could have been a huge signing for the club on deadline day, due to what he could have brought to the table.

The Colombian striker could have been a difference-maker for the Toon as he has proven his quality at the top level for Atalanta. He has scored 78 goals and provided 38 assists in 152 matches for the Italian club, including nine goals and five assists in 16 Serie A games this term.

Meanwhile, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin are the only players in the Newcastle squad who have scored more than twice in the league this term for the club. Neither of them have managed more than six, three short of Zapata’s nine, which suggests that Howe is in dire need of attacking reinforcements.

The ex-Cherries boss does not have an abundance of goalscorers in his team and the signing of Zapata could have gone a long way to solving that issue. He is a proven finisher who has shown that he can regularly find the back of the net in a top European league, suggesting that he could have been a huge player for the Toon, as he could have scored the goals to seal vital points in the Premier League.

Therefore, Howe will be gutted that the club have not pursued a deal to sign him on deadline day. He could be frustrated with those behind the scenes making the decisions as he could now be left