Newcastle United set to capitalise on club's financial worries and sign star defender: report
Newcastle United are in 'pole position' to sign the international centre back
Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Atalanta and Italy centre back Giorgio Scalvini, according to reports.
The Magpies have repeatedly been linked with the 22-year-old defender, who has made almost 150 appearances for the Serie A club and won eight caps for his country.
Atalanta have held firm over Scalvini, but the Bergamo-based outfit's financial position has changed this summer - and Newcastle are ready to capitalise.
Why Newcastle finally look set to seal Giorgio Scalvini signing
Scalvini doesn't turn 23 until December but has already gained vast experience at the top level, playing in Serie A, the Champions League and on the international stage.
His performances caught the attention of Newcastle and they have reportedly tracked him for some time, however Atalanta have consistently said he is not for sale.
Newcastle est en pole pour recruter Giorgio Scalvini. Les Magpies avancent sur un transfert estimé à 45 M€ afin de renforcer leur charnière centrale. Privée de Ligue des champions, l’Atalanta pourrait accepter une vente pour rééquilibrer ses finances.#Newcastle #Mercato…July 28, 2026
The Magpies finally appear to have made a breakthrough, though, with French journalist Sebastien Vidal claiming the Premier League club are in "pole position" to sign Scalvini in a €45m (£38m) deal.
Vidal adds that Atalanta could accept a sale to "rebalance its finances" after missing out on Champions League qualification for the first time in three seasons.
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La Dea finished seventh in Serie A last term, their lowest position since 2021/22, and will compete in the Conference League next term.
Atalanta would have banked €18.62m (£15.9m) just for reaching the league phase of the Champions League, with every league phase win worth a further €2.1m, and that is before taking TV money into account.
Losing out on that cash appears to have changed the club's stance on Scalvini and Newcastle have taken advantage as they look to bolster their options at the heart of defence.
Head coach Eddie Howe can call on Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn at centre back, however the latter two players are both 34 years old.
Newcastle have already made four signings this summer, bringing in winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim, midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur from Monaco and Ajax respectively, and goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade Reims for a combined £110m.
However, they have sold winger Anthony Gordon and midfielder Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, while captain Bruno Guimaraes has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.
James Roberts is a freelance sports journalist working for FourFourTwo and other titles. He started his career at the Oxford Mail, where he covered Oxford United home and away, before becoming a sports sub-editor for various national newspapers.
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