Newcastle missed out on Fulham free agent center back Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea, but they were able to secure another talented free agent signing in central defense in Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly.
Even so, Newcastle would still like to sign a second center back on top of Kelly to fortify their depth at the position, seeing as how late-season injuries to Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman hurt their ability to compete in the battle for European places.
Newcastle have other needs across the squad, including more midfield help for Bruno Guimaraes and a right winger to replace Miguel Almiron and provide the attack with additional star power.
According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Filippo Cornacchia, Newcastle are interested in signing Juventus center back Federico Gatti.
There are conflicting thoughts from Juve on selling Gatti, who doesn’t appear to be highly valued by incoming manager Thiago Motta and would easily be displaced as a starter if Motta is able to sign his protege Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna; Calafiori’s stock is clearly at an all-time high amidst his delightful Euro 2024 performances for Italy.
Newcastle could thus take advantage of Gatti’s availability. The Italian international is valued at 25-30 million euros, and Juventus could reportedly be tempted to sell if an offer of more than 30 million euros arrives.
But Gatti isn’t exactly a great talent worth that kind of money. He’s a bit of a bumbler in defense, doesn’t play the ball particularly well, and has the clumsiness of Harry Maguire without the passing chops.
Basically, Gatti is an “everyman” defender who works hard for Juventus and earns plaudits for that warrior mentality like Maguire, but he isn’t as good at supporting the attack and is thus a “budget” version of the fallen Manchester United starter.
Newcastle have set a much higher standard at center back, as the duo of Fabian Schar and Botman was one of the best in European football in 2022/23 when the Magpies qualified for the Champions League.
Kelly is the caliber of player the Magpies should be looking for as key depth next season, whereas Gatti is not a young defender and isn’t a cheap market opportunity.
More importantly, he isn’t better than any of the center backs Newcastle have in their squad right now or any of the center backs they are being linked with. Pass.
