Sky Italy: Newcastle in talks to sign versatile defender after contacting agent and club
It’s fair to say that the recent pursuit of Hugo Ekitike shows that Newcastle United will happily turn to top talent on the continent if the right player is out there.
Fans have been crying out for the club to avoid paying Premier League premium prices for players, and it looks like we’re exploring these European options after missing out on a number of domestic targets.
Serie A is a division we continue to scour after a move for Sandro Tonali and ongoing interest in Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta, with another Italian talent now emerging as a new defensive option…
Toon in contact over Juve talent?
According to Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle are now exploring a deal to sign Juventus’ Nicolò Savona.
Sky’s North East reporter Keith Downie revealed our admiration for the 22-year-old in an exclusive last night, now his colleague in Italy has gone one step further.
Di Marzio claims we’ve already initiated talks with both the player and his agent over a potential move from Turin to Tyneside.
He reports that Juventus are keen to kickstart their own transfer activity and face selling a number of stars to raise funds, although negotiations over a deal are still in the early stages.
The 6ft 4′ Italian made 28 appearances for the Old Lady in Serie A last season, and while most of those came at right-back, it’s believed the versatile defender is best suited as a right-sided centre-back.
Savona’s versatility adds to appeal
Savona’s ability to play at centre-back and, based on his Juve career, in both full-back roles, is something that will appeal to Eddie Howe.
The boss has developed a habit of pursuing versatile and tactically flexible players, and Savona’s ability to play at right-back in particular could be helpful.
First and foremost, we need a centre-back able to step into Fabian Schar’s boots soon enough, but our back-up right-back Kieran Trippier turns 35 in two months time and is likely to be entering his last season on Tyneside.
Depth at left-back is also weak beyond Lewis Hall, which may add to Savona’s appeal if we really are stepping up our interest in a deal.
Report: Champions League club begin negotiations with Chelsea over €35m transfer
Newcastle are leading the race to sign Axel Disasi this summer and have already held initial talks according to reports.
Disasi spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, but only made ten appearances as they missed out on Champions League qualification.
Disasi arrived at Chelsea from French side Monaco for around £39m in the summer of 2023, and had an impressive season under Mauricio Pochettino where he featured regularly.
However, it was obvious from early on he wasn’t going to be a big part of Enzo Maresca’s plans, and he made just three Premier League appearances over the first half of the season, although did feature more regularly in the Conference League.
Villa were thought to be keen to make Disasi’s move permanent, but nothing has materialised on that front as of yet.
Juventus and Villarreal have been linked with a move, but it’s thought Disasi wants to remain in the Premier League if possible.
Newcastle have previously been linked with Disasi, and Caught Offside have reported they are leading the race for the France international.
The report states negotiations have begun between the two clubs, with Chelsea said to be asking for €35m, but the Magpies think they could get it down to €30m.
Renato Veiga set to leave
Disasi won’t be the only centre back to leave this summer, and it looks like Renato Veiga will also be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit door.
Veiga joined from Swiss side FC Basel last summer, primarily as a back-up for Marc Cucurella at left back, but joined Juventus on loan in January as he wanted to play as a centre back.
The Portugal international is set to leave this summer, with Bayern Munich interested, and it’s thought Chelsea want around €30m for the 21-year-old.
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