Newcastle transfer news: 6'2 target's 'price continually going up' as 11pm cut-off looms

Journalist Dean Jones has claimed Atalanta are attempting to 'grab a load of money' amid interest in their star striker Duvan Zapata from Newcastle United. 

It's been a successful transfer window so far for the Magpies, who have added Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes and Matt Targett to their ranks already. 

Despite bringing in former Burnley forward Wood via a £25 million deal, new manager Eddie Howe appears determined to sign another attacking option in the final hours of January. 

According to Sky Sports, Newcastle had an offer that would have potentially risen to £33m accepted by Reims this morning for the highly-rated Hugo Ekitike. 

However, the 19-year-old decided to stay at his boyhood club following late interest from Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain and will reassess his options in the summer.

That has left Howe's charges short of options up front due to Callum Wilson's latest injury setback and means their search for a striker is set to go on until the last minute of the winter window.

Jones previously stated that 'personal terms are pretty much agreed' between Zapata and Newcastle, with a transfer fee still to be approved for the 6 foot 2 target.

The South American has been in scintillating form so far this season, bagging 12 goals and providing seven assists in 22 appearances for La Dea and would be a significant coup for the St. James' Park outfit. 

Nevertheless, agreeing a deal for Zapata appears to be proving far from straightforward for Newcastle's hierarchy.

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With Atalanta aware that Zapata is the only option now available to Newcastle, Jones has revealed that they are putting a 'premium' price on the