Soccer Football - Serie A - Atalanta v AS Roma - Stadio Atleti Azzurri, Bergamo, Italy - May 12, 2024 Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Newcastle United have been the talk of the transfer window over the last week as they ramped up their pursuit of a striker.
The Magpies put in an offer for Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike which led to a spiralling series of events involving the Premier League champions, Liverpool.
Liverpool seemingly felt there was an opportunity to pounce on their top target, Alexander Isak, to see if there was a chance they could secure his signature for £120m.
However, as expected, Newcastle very quickly reiterated that their Swedish striker was not for sale this summer, so Liverpool turned their attentions to Ekitike and are now in the works to agree a deal.
The North East giants have now left the negotiating table with Frankfurt, and have moved on to a target in the Premier League with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa attracting interest.
Despite the need to sign a striker to replace Callum Wilson and relieve the pressure on Isak, the squad is also in need of defensive reinforcements.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has revealed that Newcastle are in the market to sign a right-sided defender.
Writing on social media platform X, Downie revealed:
“EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle United have a three-man shortlist as they look to add a right-sided defender this window.”
“Eddie Howe’s side are considering an approach to Juventus for defender Nicolo Savona.”
“They also retain a keen interest in Atalanta centre back Giorgio Scalvini.”
“And Valencia’s Spanish defender César Tárrega has also been discussed.”
“Eddie Howe is now looking at defenders after their move for striker Hugo Ekitike appears to have failed.”
How much will Giorgio Scalvini cost?
It is no secret that the club have been on the hunt for Fabian Schar’s successor for a while, after a very public chase for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi failed to come to fruition.
Fabian Schar has extended his stay on Tyneside for another season, so there is no immediate concern going into the new campaign, but it would put them in an advantageous position if they could secure a player worthy of succeeding the Swiss star.
The signing of Scalvini makes perfect sense in terms of the type of defender that Eddie Howe likes to deploy in the centre-back partnership.
The 21-year-old is 6 foot 3, has great technique and is versatile in his approach to the game, both reliable defensively and a threat in attacking build-up.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have all been previously linked with a move for the youthful defender in the past, and Scalvini himself has expressed an interest in playing in the Premier League.
The Italian told Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia) in an interview:
“For me it’s the best league there is [Premier League], for the intensity. Once in my career, I don’t even know when, I’d like to play there.”
With a reported price tag of £43m this summer, the stars could align for Scalvini to achieve his goals of playing in the English top flight sooner rather than later, as the asking fee from Atalanta should be achievable for Newcastle.
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