Newcastle United transfer news as Serie A star on Eddie Howe's radar
Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta
Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)
Giorgi Scalvini has become the latest defender to be linked with a move to Newcastle United as the Magpies eye reinforcements this summer.
Eddie Howe is keen to bring in a new centre-half this window to provide cover and competition for Fabian Schar.
Schar signed a two-year extension to his contract in April, but is 33 now and Newcastle are keen to bring down the average age of their squad. Defensive partner Dan Burn is also 33 and Kieran Trippier approaching 35, while Jamaal Lascelles, who has returned from injury, is 31.
United are looking for a long-term partner for Sven Botman. The Dutch defender has hopefully recovered from his knee problems and will be a real asset in the 2025/26 season.
Howe's first-choice target was Marc Guehi, but that deal appears to lie in tatters after Newcastle missed the deadline to submit an approach for the player. The Crystal Palace captain, who has 12 years left on his contract, has his heart set on a move to Liverpool now, although he could sit tight on the last 12 months of his deal.
Either way, a move for the England man looks dead in the water, 12 months on from three failed bid for the centre-back.
Newcastle have now switched targets with their list of players who could improve the starting XI being scrutinised deeply. They have seen Dean Huijsen move to Real Madrid, while Ousmane Diomande is another they have scouted extensively.
Scalvini is also a player the recruitment team know all about. Aged 21, he has been one of the rising young stars in Serie A for the last three years, bursting through Atalanta's academy and into their first team.
Despite suffering an ACL injury of his own in 2024, Scalvini has still already played more than 100 times though he as restricted to just eight appearances last season due to his knee injury and then a shoulder problem which ruled him out of the last four months of the campaign.
The youngster has eight caps and has played alongside Sandro Tonali. And he has already stated his desire to follow his international teammate and play in the Premier League.
Scalvini told Corriere dello Sport: “For me it’s the best league there is, for the intensity. Once in my career, I don’t even know when, I’d like to play there.”
The centre-half has a burgeoning reputation as a ball-playing defender. Standing at 6ft 4in he is renowned for his interceptions and ability to stride out of defence and launch attacks.
Scalvini has played on both sides of a back four and back three for Atalanta, though is predominantly right-footed. He was part of their Europa League-winning side in 2024, but didn't get to feature in the Euro 2024 championships for Italy after tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee in the final league game of the season.
"Scalvini will have a great career. At his age I have seen few talents like him," claimed Roberto Mancini, then Italy boss, after handing him his debut in 2022.