chroniclelive.co.uk

Newcastle United 'target' could be better than £60 million Serie A winner

Newcastle United are in the market for a central defender and Giorgio Scalvini has recently been linked

Giorgio Scalvini can be as good as Serie A winner and Inter Milan legend Alessandro Bastoni

Giorgio Scalvini can be as good as Serie A winner and Inter Milan legend Alessandro Bastoni

Giorgio Scalvini can be as good as Serie A winner and Inter Milan legend Alessandro Bastoni - as Newcastle United reportedly weigh up a move for the central defender.

The Atalanta defender is said to be on the radar of The Magpies with reports in Italian media claiming United are ready to bid for the 21-year-old.

Despite missing the majority of last season due to an ACL injury, Scalvini has still be linked with a move to several Premier League sides this summer.

Having already played more than 100 times for Atalanta and being part of the squad that won the Europa League back in 2024, Scalvini is tipped to become one of Europe's best central defenders - even potentially better Bastoni.

That's according to The Everything is Black and White Podcast co-host Sam Mulliner, who believes Scalvini could surpass fellow countryman Bastoni who has won two league titles with Inter Milan and been capped 37 times by Italy.

Speaking on an episode in which he listed alternatives to Marc Guehi, Mulliner said: "So he can play on either side of central defence.

"He's kind of like, at the moment for Atalanta, Davide Santon, where he's right footed but plays on the left hand side. He's got bags of potential, he really has.

"If we were going for the dream kind of centre half signings, you'd probably look at a Bastoni, if you were looking at Serie A - the Champions League final aside.

"Scalvini has has everything that it takes to be as good as Bastoni or maybe even more. At 21 years of age, he's got the world at his feet.

"It'll be a bit of a transitional season in terms of the centre half area and Scalvini could take his time next season and, and adapt to the English game which can be troublesome for players signing from Serie A but Sandro Tonali's adapted alright, hasn't he?"

Reports in Italy claim that Atalanta are not interested in selling Scalvini and a price tag of at least £40 million would be needed to just start the negotiations.

Given Scalvini's absence last season due to such a major injury, some Toon fans have queried whether the Italian international would be a worthy risk this summer.

However, Mulliner believes that previous purchases have shown that Newcastle's transfer chiefs are not afraid to bring in players who have suffered from an ACL injury.

"It's always a concern," Mulliner said, "however if that is the case then we wouldn't have signed Tino Livramento with ACL issues - that hasn't raised it's ugly head."

You can watch the full episode documenting Newcastle United's Marc Guehi's alternatives by clicking here. The latest episode, looking at alternatives to James Trafford can be watched here on YouTube, or listened to here via your podcast app.

Read full news in source page