Newcastle
Newcastle’s Big-Money Move: €25m Bid for Serie A Star
A Turin-based newspaper is claiming that Newcastle United had a bid rejected for a Juventus star in the recent summer transfer window.
According to ilBiancoNero, Newcastle saw a €25m bid rejected for defender Federico Gatti; suggesting he may have been an alternative to Marc Guehi following our failed pursuit of the Crystal Palace star.
Gatti, similar to other Serie A target Malick Thiaw, is a right-footed centre-back who certainly fits the club’s ideals when it comes to finding a long-term replacement for Fabian Schar.
At 26, Gatti has embedded himself into the heart of the Juventus defence, making 36 appearances in all competitions last season. He has also been handed the captain’s armband by Thiago Motta, and Juventus’ current aim is to lock Gatti down to a new contract this month.
Eagle-eyed Newcastle fans may recognise the name, as the defender was almost embroiled in the betting scandal that rocked Italian football in October last year, that ultimately saw Sandro Tonali being banned for 10 months. Like compatriots Stephan El Shaarawy and Nicolo Casale however, no charges were ultimately brought against Gatti.