Aston Villa Join The Race For This Juventus Centre-back: Why They Must Snap Him Up | OneFootball

In a recent report,  Gianluca Di Marzio has shared an update on Federico Gatti. Serie A winners Napoli are keeping close tabs on the Juventus centre-back, and according to the renowned Italian journalist, Premier League side Aston Villa have also joined the race over a potential summer transfer.

The 26-year-old Azzurri international progressed through the academy ranks of Chieri, Torino, and Alessandria, but never attained a senior status for the latter in Serie C. He would rather spend his time on loan with Pavarolo and Saluzzo in the amateur circuit before joining Pavarolo on a permanent deal.

Gatti was roped in by Verbania in the summer of 2018 and helped them secure a promotion to Serie D. Third-tier team Pro Patria snapped him up on a Bosman, and a promising 2020-21 season earned him a €150k move to Serie B with Frosinone in July 2021.

TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Federico Gatti of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Venezia at Allianz Stadium on December 14, 2024, in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Gatti secured a €9m transfer to Juventus six months later, but was sent on loan to Frosinone for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign. However, he has been a regular for the Old Lady from next season onwards and has featured more than 100 times across competitions. The Italian heavyweights are keen to retain the centre-half for his calmness, composure and ball-playing traits, and have tabled a five-year contract worth a salary of €3m per year. But he is not satisfied with the offer, thus keeping his options open.

Why Aston Villa Should Step Up The Chase

Although his current deal runs for three more years, Juventus would consider offers of around €30-35m if they fail to reach an agreement with the player’s entourage. This has alerted his suitors, including Aston Villa, despite being sanctioned by UEFA for breaching the financial rules.

The Villans are expecting a few high-profile departures, and therefore, would be able to balance the books in the summer window. While a controversial final-day defeat against Manchester United denied them an entry into next season’s Champions League, the pulling power of Premier League football and the project at Villa Park under Unai Emery could be the driving force behind Gatti’s decision to leave his homeland for the first time in his career.

The English outfit have Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings among central defensive options. They also secured Axel Disasi on loan amid Mings’ persistent injury problems, but are unlikely to tie the Chelsea star down permanently. Kortney Hause is surplus to requirements, whereas 20-year-old Yeimar Mosquera is not prepared for a first-team status. Signing Gatti would resolve their conundrum in the heart of the backline, and it remains to be seen whether they exhibit enough ambition over the next couple of months.