Newcastle launch £25m bid for Colombian powerhouse as club work on several big deals - Report

According to the Daily Record, Newcastle United have launched a bid in excess of £25m for Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata.

This comes from Duncan Castles, who reports that the Colombian international is 'open' to a January move to St James' Park if the two clubs can agree a fee.

He also claims that the Serie A side would be willing to sell the 30-year-old striker - who has scored 12 goals this season - but value him closer to the £37m mark.

Interestingly the same piece states that this is one of several big money deals that our new owners are working on, with it said that Zapata is an alternative to Benfica's Darwin Nunez; the highly-rated Uruguayan whose bagged 19 goals already this term.

It's said the 22-year-old is the preferred target, however it seems the Portuguese giants are currently holding out for a whopping £50m following talks with Toon chiefs.

Diego Carlos is also named as our top centre-back in the piece, with us stepping up talks over a deal for the Brazilian after we tried and failed to sign Sven Botman from Lille.