The Story Behind Napoli’s Attempt to Buy Back Atalanta Forward Duvan Zapata
Colombian forward Duvan Zapata was a Napoli player from 2013 and 2018. He has since joined rivals Atalanta, but his former club has kept tabs on him and even considered transferring him back.
Zapata had impressed in Argentina, playing for Estudiantes, before earning his move to Europe. Napoli paid an undisclosed fee to get the striker to join the club in 2013.
In spite of being with the club for nearly 5 years and having a relatively good goal-scoring tally, Napoli opted to sever ties with the player in 2018. He first joined Sampdoria who in 2020 loaned him out to Atalanta, the team that the Gli Azzurri are facing in an important match on Sunday.
His performances for Atalanta have been nothing short of brilliant, managing nearly 50 goals for his new club. Naturally, these events were not exactly celebrated back in Naples.
Corrierro dello Sport reveals that Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has kept a cose watch on the Colombian forward and even considered attempting buying him back since the player’s departure.
Even though a move back might be perceived by some as witness on Napoli’s part, it would certainly help strengthen an attacking area that has been lacking in recent months.
According to estimates, Duvan Zapata‘s transfer would be worth at least €38.00 million, while Napoli earned only €20.00 million on the initial transfer.
Still, if the estimate is correct, this would still be a bargain as compared to the price tag paid by Atalanta to make the transfer from Sampdoria permanent back in 2020, €45 million.
While not announced in the starting line-up, Zapata is likely to make an appearance against his former side on Sunday when Napoli and Atalanta play in Serie A.