Newcastle United are reportedly preparing to make a formal offer of €25-30 million for Juventus defender Federico Gatti. The Premier League club has intensified its interest in Gatti, who is currently competing in the European Championship with Italy under coach Luciano Spalletti. Although no official bid has been made yet, the discussions within Newcastle suggest a concrete interest that could soon materialize into a formal proposal.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Juventus’ sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, is aware of Newcastle’s interest and is prepared to negotiate, but he values Gatti highly both on and off the field. Gatti is not currently listed among the players Juventus is looking to offload, but the club acknowledges that every player has a price. Should Newcastle’s offer exceed €30 million, Juventus might consider the sale to balance their finances and subsequently seek a replacement.
Potential Replacements
1. Riccardo Calafiori: The Bologna defender is the top candidate to join Juventus, regardless of Gatti’s future. Calafiori has been a standout performer for Italy at the European Championship and is seen as a valuable addition to the squad.
2. Jakub Kiwior: Currently with Arsenal, Kiwior has previously played under Juventus coach Thiago Motta at Spezia. Juventus is exploring the possibility of acquiring Kiwior, potentially on loan, even if Gatti remains with the club.
3. Jean-Clair Todibo: Juventus has also inquired about Todibo, who recently saw a potential transfer to Manchester United fall through due to regulatory issues. Todibo is considered an alternative to Calafiori and could be pursued if Gatti or Gleison Bremer is sold.
Newcastle’s potential offer for Gatti could provide Juventus with the financial flexibility to strengthen other areas of the squad. While Gatti’s departure would be a significant loss, the funds could facilitate the acquisition of multiple reinforcements. Juventus is also mindful of the high salary demands that come with top-tier players, as seen with their interest in Douglas Luiz.
