Newcastle fans will love what Gian Piero Gasperini has said about Giorgio Scalvini
Newcastle's pursuit of Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini should excite fans due to Gian Piero Gasperini's previous praise of his qualities.
The transfer window has not gone to plan for Newcastle so far following the departures of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
Their requirement to comply with UEFA's financial rules has meant that signings have been limited, while another big-name player could depart towards the end of the summer.
Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his defensive options ahead of the new campaign after the Magpies struggled at the back throughout last season.
Scalvini has been on their radar since last year, and Tutto Atalanta have reported that he is available for around £38million this summer, with Newcastle currently at the "front of the queue" to sign him.
He has long been rated as one of the most promising centre-backs in the Serie A, with iconic boss Gasperini detailing exactly what he expects of his career in the last few years.
Gian Piero Gasperini has heaped highest of praise on Giorgio Scalvini as Newcastle move touted
Scalvini made his way through the Atalanta academy before being handed a first-team debut by Gasperini in October 2021 at just 17-years-old.
Gasperini publicly recognised his potential early that year before he had even debuted for La Dea, identifying him as the most likely youth player to break into the first team.
He also compared the teenager to one of the best defenders in Italy, saying: "We’ve always had strong young players. In my opinion, a club like Atalanta has to produce one every year. That’s why I say Scalvini. He could be the new Bastoni”
Scalvini went on to become a regular at the back for Atalanta, with further praise coming in 2023 as Gasperini said: "In Italy, the standard has certainly dropped because we made the very serious mistake of failing to nurture our own talent. We need new ideas and to give young Italian footballers a fresh start; sadly, they have been replaced by many mediocre foreign players. Bergamo is a thriving region. And Scalvini is already a leader at the age of 19.”
Later that year, the La Dea boss hailed the centre-back as "predestinato," which is an Italian word that translates to "the chosen one," after he was named as a finalist in the Golden Boy awards.
He has continued to be an important player for the club, amid injury issues, and joining Newcastle could represent the next step to him becoming one of the best defenders in the world over the next 10 years.
Newcastle remain keen on Fikayo Tomori amid centre-back search
Newcastle's defensive woes have seen Howe focus on bolstering his backline, particularly as the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn move past the peak of their careers.
Malick Thiaw has been linked with an exit, but is only likely to leave if the club receive an offer that is too good to turn down.
Scalvini is not the only Serie A star on their radar as it stands, with sources revealing to Football Insider that Newcastle have made an offer for AC Milan defender Tomori as he looks to return to English football.
Coventry City are also working hard to agree a deal to sign the ex-Chelsea man, with Frank Lampard trying to reunite with him at the newly-promoted side.