Premier League interest refuses to fade
Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea remain firmly in the race to sign Giorgio Scalvini, even after Atalanta moved to secure his future with a fresh contract running until 2031, according to TEAMtalk.
The towering 6ft 4in centre-back has long been admired in England, and news of his new terms in Bergamo has done little to cool that admiration. Both London clubs are understood to still be tracking his situation closely, alongside Newcastle United, who have followed him for several seasons.
Why Spurs and Chelsea need defensive reinforcement
Chelsea’s defence has looked shaky at times this term despite the summer arrival of Maxence Lacroix, and Xabi Alonso appears open to further investment at centre-back. Tottenham, meanwhile, have endured a torrid start to the campaign under Roberto De Zerbi, sitting bottom of the Premier League table without a win and having already shipped a worrying number of goals.
That’s a curious backdrop given how much Spurs spent strengthening their backline over the summer, bringing in Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, Tosin Adarabioyo and Andrew Robertson. Clearly, though, the hierarchy still see room for a long-term upgrade.
A gamble worth taking?
Scalvini’s technical quality, composure on the ball and physical profile make him an obvious fit for either side, and his development has been watched by City and United too since his teenage years. My own view is that his injury history — an ACL tear followed by shoulder surgery — should give suitors genuine pause, however talented he looks on the ball.
Atalanta’s new contract also strengthens their hand considerably, and any move next summer is unlikely to come cheap. Whether Chelsea or Tottenham blink first, and whether Atalanta budge at all, will be one to watch closely.
