Newcastle ramp up transfer for WORLD'S BEST wonderkid defender

Suraj Radia

4 Jul 2025 15:00 BST
4 min read

Newcastle’s transfer business could finally be ramping up, with a player seen as the best young defender in Europe being touted as Eddie Howe’s next target this summer.

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The Magpies have endured difficulties in the transfer market in the past year, having failed to significantly add to their first team last summer while also missing out on some key targets already during this window, such as Joao Pedro.

But the Magpies have enjoyed a renewed sense of optimism this week after beginning a fresh PSR cycle which will allow them to spend to greater levels during the summer and has already led to the club closing in on a £55 million (€63m) deal for Anthony Elanga.

With confidence also increasing over soon agreeing a fee with Burnley over goalkeeper James Trafford, The Times report that Newcastle have now made Atalanta youngster Giorgio Scalvini their top defensive target for the summer.

Current ETV

Giorgio Scalvini

D (CRL)

Atalanta

Giorgio Scalvini

D (CRL)

Atalanta

ETV Range

€47M - €57.5M

Scalvini missed the majority of last season with an ACL injury, making just six appearances before a shoulder problem prematurely ended his campaign in January.

However, Newcastle are said to still see Scalvini as a long-term replacement for veteran defenders Fabian Schar and Dan Burn and a formal approach could be made for the 21-year-old after being named as one of Howe’s biggest priorities for the remainder of the transfer window.

Newcastle ready to gamble on fitness of young star Scalvini

A move for Scalvini would bring some much-needed youthfulness to Howe’s defensive unit, with just three players among Newcastle’s goalkeepers and defenders being under the age of 29.

© IMAGO - Giorgio Scalvini is rated as one of the world's best young defenders.

And they couldn’t do any better with their target according to SciSports, who use data-driven analytics to assess a player, with Scalvini being seen as the best centre-back in the world under the age of 23.

The Italian has already been capped eight times by his country and his ability on the ball as well as his physicality have led to him become integral to Atalanta, with Newcastle desperate to gamble on Scalvini’s fitness and potentially sign him for below his Expected Transfer Value (ETV) of €52m.

© IMAGO - Giorgio Scalvini tops SciSport's analytics for centre-backs under the age of 23.

Atalanta would not be easy sellers though and Newcastle are conscious of the drawn out process which has seen them yet to make a first team signing this summer, although they are hoping moves for Trafford and Elanga progress in the coming days.

Newcastle are thought to be close to having an offer accepted for Elanga, while Burnley are continuing to hold out for more than €40m for Trafford, although a compromised figure is expected to be agreed with the goalkeeper having agreed personal terms and pushing for the move.

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