Giorgio Scalvini sits at the centre of a three-club Premier League chase. Chelsea have opened talks, Newcastle and Tottenham are also involved, and Atalanta want at least £42m for the 22-year-old defender.

Atalanta's valuation

The fee is the first obstacle. Atalanta want at least £42m, and the wider market picture suggests there is no easy route to a deal. Some reporting has Newcastle preparing an opening offer of £34m, but nothing in the public lines points to a formal bid being settled.

Atalanta's stance is easier to understand when you factor in what Scalvini already is for them. He has made over 100 appearances for the club and helped them win the Europa League in 2024. This is not a throw-in price for a player they barely know.

Why clubs still want him

The appeal is obvious. Sead Kolasinac said of Scalvini: "I am struck by the maturity of his 19 years. He reads the game well, he knows what to do with the ball, defend one-on-one, how to use his body in marking: it's nice to have him alongside in defence. But first of all he is a good guy, even humble: if he doesn't lose this character, he will have a great career."

That praise fits the profile Premier League clubs are chasing, but there is a reason the deal is being judged carefully. Scalvini played just 30 times for Atalanta last season, scoring three goals in Serie A, and he has missed 83 games for club and country due to injury at age 22.

The caution is fair, yet it does not erase the upside. Chelsea have already added Danny Welbeck, 35, on a two-year contract, and the same reporting says they still have TEN central defenders on the books. Welbeck's own late-season form was useful, with one goal and one assist in his last five Premier League outings and a 7.5 rating in his final Brighton appearance, so Chelsea are clearly still looking at squad layers rather than one single fix.

Atalanta's recent league form also helps explain why this is a live market. They have only one win in their last five matches, while Chelsea won two of their last five, Newcastle also won two, and Tottenham won three.

What happens next is still open, but the shape of the chase is clear. Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham are all circling, Atalanta are holding the line on £42m, and Scalvini's injury history will stay part of the conversation until one of those clubs decides the price is worth paying.

FAQ

Will Chelsea beat Newcastle and Tottenham to Giorgio Scalvini?

Chelsea have opened talks for Giorgio Scalvini, but Newcastle and Tottenham are also in the race. Atalanta want at least £42m for the defender, and the deal is complicated by his injury-hit season and the fact that clubs are still only in the approaches stage.

Why is Giorgio Scalvini attracting Premier League interest?

Scalvini has over 100 appearances for Atalanta and helped them win the Europa League in 2024. Sead Kolasinac praised his maturity, reading of the game and one-on-one defending, which is why Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham are all watching him.

How much does Atalanta want for Giorgio Scalvini?

Atalanta want at least £42m for Giorgio Scalvini. Sources do not agree on a single exact figure beyond that, and there is no confirmed bid, only contact and interest from Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 7 outlets. How we work →