Soccer Football - Serie A - Atalanta v Fiorentina - Stadio Atleti Azzurri, Bergamo, Italy - June 2, 2024 Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Newcastle United are in the market to sign defensive reinforcements this summer as they prepare for their highly anticipated Champions League campaign.
Eddie Howe and his squad will return to Tyneside following their summer holidays to begin pre-season training ahead of their tour of Singapore later this month.
The Magpies have yet to make a first-team signing after missing out on several targets, but a deal to bring in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is expected to be completed soon.
Meanwhile, an improved bid of £55 million has reportedly been accepted by Nottingham Forest for Anthony Elanga, with negotiations over a final agreement currently ongoing.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has long been a target to future-proof the centre-back partnership, but it has been reported today that the club could be moving on from the England international.
According to The Times, Newcastle have now made Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini their top target to bolster the defensive set-up this summer.
The report by Northern sports correspondent Martin Hardy reveals that Eddie Howe is a huge fan of the young star and, with a move for Guehi off the table, Newcastle are ready to explore a potential opportunity to sign Scalvini instead.
Should Newcastle sign Giorgio Scalvini?
While Guehi offers Premier League experience, Scalvini is a younger prospect with a wealth of experience in European competition, which would be invaluable in Newcastle’s dressing room.
The 21-year-old – hailed as a “top talent” by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano – suffered an ACL injury last season, meaning he was only able to make eight appearances in all competitions for his Italian club.
However, his influence and impact during Atalanta’s Europa League triumph the previous year were undeniable and rightly established him as one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe.
Against Bayer Leverkusen in the final, Scalvini managed to keep the likes of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong quiet when he was introduced in the second half.
He made three clearances, three interceptions and won three of his four duels during his 45-minute cameo, contributing to a 3-0 victory and a well-earned clean sheet when the final whistle blew.
Indeed, there will be some concern around Scalvini’s injury record and recovery from his ACL issues.
However, this signing would be similar in nature to that of Tino Livramento, who joined Newcastle following his own ACL injury.
The former Southampton full-back has gone on to become one of the most integral players in the starting eleven on Tyneside and has proved that an injury of that severity does not prevent a player from continuing to flourish and develop.
With that being said, the signing of Scalvini would be a testament to Newcastle’s ambitions to become an established club on the European stage.
Bringing in a player who has already tasted the success of a European trophy at such a young age would certainly have a positive impact on his peers.
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