Newcastle now in talks to sign £40m target? – Big claims from local journalist

Newcastle United appear to be ramping up their pursuit of Giorgio Scalvini, with fresh reports suggesting the club is preparing to hold direct talks with Atalanta over a deal for the highly rated Italian defender.

The Magpies, having refocused their transfer strategy after missing out on long-term target Marc Guehi, are now pushing to bring in a new centre-back who not only offers immediate quality but also significant long-term potential.

According to new claims from the Northern Echo, club officials plan to meet with their Serie A counterparts within the next 24 hours, hoping to accelerate negotiations and outpace any rival suitors vying for Scalvini’s signature.

Eddie Howe has made no secret of his desire to bolster the defensive core of his squad this summer. Newcastle’s back line, while showing resilience at times last season, was often hampered by injuries and inconsistent form.

With Champions League football on the horizon and domestic ambitions growing under PIF ownership, defensive reinforcements have become a top priority.

Now that a deal for Guehi seems off the table, the club has shifted focus to Scalvini, a player whose blend of youth, experience, and continental pedigree makes him a standout candidate.

Scalvini, who only recently turned 21, has already amassed over 100 appearances for Atalanta since breaking into the first team in 2021.

The six-foot-four defender plays primarily on the right side of a central pairing and has earned praise for his aerial strength, composure on the ball, and tactical intelligence.

His development at Atalanta’s renowned academy has seen him rise quickly through the ranks of Italian football, culminating in a key role during the club’s successful Europa League campaign in 2024.

That season, Scalvini was instrumental in Atalanta’s defensive stability and showed maturity well beyond his years as the team lifted the trophy in historic fashion.

Internationally, his credentials are equally impressive. Having represented Italy at every level from the U15s to the senior national team, he has already made eight appearances for the Azzurri since his debut in 2022.

This breadth of experience, both domestically and internationally, underlines why Newcastle are prepared to invest heavily in his future. Atalanta are reportedly valuing the player in the region of £40 million, a figure that reflects both his current ability and his projected trajectory.

However, any deal would not be without its caveats. Scalvini endured a frustrating spell last season due to injury setbacks, including a knee ligament issue that ruled him out of the Euros and a more recent shoulder injury that limited him to just eight appearances.

Newcastle, though, have shown a willingness in the past to back the recovery and rehabilitation of promising players—most notably in the case of Tino Livramento, who joined following an ACL injury.

The club is believed to have done thorough medical assessments and remains confident that Scalvini has fully recovered, making the move a calculated but ambitious investment.

Talks are expected to intensify swiftly, with Newcastle keen to avoid a drawn-out transfer saga that might alert competitors across Europe. Several reports from Italy, including early mentions from journalist Matteo Moretto, have backed Newcastle’s interest, suggesting this is more than just speculation.

With Scalvini’s name rising rapidly on Howe’s priority list and the club’s willingness to move quickly, this potential transfer could become a defining move of the summer window.

Should the deal be finalised, Newcastle would not only secure one of the brightest young defenders in Europe but also signal their intent to build a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.

The potential partnership between Scalvini and Sven Botman could offer a stable foundation for years to come, aligning with the club’s long-term project of developing a young, dynamic core around which to build sustained success.

All eyes now turn to the negotiations in the coming days to see if Newcastle can pull off what would be a significant statement of ambition.