Newcastle United will once again be investing in their future if they strike a deal for Giorgio Scalvini.
The Magpies are stepping up their efforts to sign a new centre-back, with Scalvini named Newcastle’s top target.
The 21-year-old has been identified as Fabian Schar’s long-term successor, as Newcastle United eye a right-sided centre-back to play alongside Sven Botman for years to come. He will not be cheap though, with Atalanta wanting up to £43million for Scalvini.
However, that will prove to be money well spent if Scalvini achieves his potential under Eddie Howe.
Giorgio Scalvini runs with the ball during Atalanta vs Juventus in Serie A.
Photo by Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Giorgio Scalvini was told he is ‘destined for greatness’ amid Newcastle United interest
When it comes to potential, Scalvini has a lot of it. That was the view of his former manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who spoke glowingly about the youngster following a 3-3 draw with Juventus in January 2023.
“He [Scalvini] is already a great player at 19,” Gasperini said, as reported by Foot Italia.
“He is a leader on and off the pitch. He’s destined for greatness. Wherever you put him he has quality and class.”
Despite being so young, Gasperini had a lot of faith in Scalvini. He gave him his debut at the age of 17, and was then calling him a ‘leader’ two years later. That epitomises how highly rated Scalvini is, and he would be a hero in black and white if he achieves the greatness he has been tipped for at Newcastle United.
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Newcastle United are trying to sign Giorgio Scalvini at exactly the right time
There are two reasons why this is an ideal moment for Newcastle United to try and bring Scalvini in from Atalanta.
Firstly, Gasperini has left the Serie A club. He has left the Gewiss Stadium after nine years and has become the Roma manager. Given the fact that Scalvini has spent his full senior career working under Gasperini, this could be a good moment for him to move elsewhere too.
As well as that, Scalvini endured an injury-ridden 2024/25 season. He was only fit enough to make eight appearances for Atalanta in all competitions, with an ACL injury and a shoulder problem ruining a year of his career.
That has resulted in Scalvini’s stock dropping. But the potential remains, and it could allow Newcastle to sign him during a dip. That is what they did with Alexander Isak, having bought the Sweden international after a less than stellar season with Real Sociedad. However, that was a dip based on form rather than fitness.
Newcastle have signed players after lengthy injuries before. Look no further than Tino Livramento, who joined the Magpies on the back of recovering from an ACL injury of his own. Livramento has shown no signs of that injury hindering him, and Newcastle must believe that Scalvini is the same if they are serious about signing him.