The Magpies have been linked with a move for Atalanta defender Georgio Scalvini
Newcastle United have been urged to follow up their interest in Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini with a firm bid – and have been told they could be signing a ‘young John Stones’.
The Magpies are stepping up their search for a central defender following the £55m capture of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, with several players on their radar.
Scalvini has emerged as a leading contender, with the 21-year-old one of Italian football’s hottest prospects.
However, Atalanta are reluctant to sell one of their rising stars, and will only listen to offers in the region of £50m for the Italy defender.
Former Liverpool and Scotland star Don Hutchison is a big fan of Scalvini and feels he would fit into Eddie Howe’s plans at Newcastle, with the youngster reminding him of a Man City star Stones in the early years of his career.
“I do think Scalvini suits Newcastle,” he told BestBettingSites. “I mean, Sven Botman’s top drawer but he’s again coming back from a serious knee injury.
“So I don’t know for sure, but Scalvini at the top of his game reminds me of a young John Stones.
“He can be superb, but he’s coming off the back of a long-term injury. To me, I think he’ll be a great fit in the Premier League if he can get another solid Serie A season under his belt, to churn out 35 games.
“Right now he’s a gamble, but if he can prove he’s 100 per cent fit, confident in his body, then no question is he what Newcastle need.”
Newcastle are exploring several defensive options, and already have Fabian Schar and Dan Burn to compete for starting places next season.
However, Howe is aware of their advancing years and the need to plan for the future, as well as having squad rotation options for the coming campaign.
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