Offer accepted for Anthony Elanga and Giorgio Scalvini now priority Newcastle signing – The Times | OneFootball

Newcastle United have now had their offer of £55m for Anthony Elanga accepted by Nottingham Forest.

An exclusive from The Times bringing that news.

They also report that Newcastle United are increasingly confident that a fee in the region of £30m will be agreed with Burnley for longstanding Eddie Howe target James Trafford.

With pre-season set to properly get underway next week and the first friendly (at Celtic) in 15 days time, it would be a massive boost for Eddie Howe to start getting some of his transfer targets over the line.

The Times state that Eddie Howe also has another priority transfer target that he hopes to land alongside Trafford and Elanga.

That is Giorgio Scalvini, the 21 year old central defender who players for Atalanta.

The exclusive reports that Scalvini is now Newcastle’s main defensive target and perfectly fits the profile of what the NUFC Head Coach is looking for.

The Italy international became a regular in Serie A as a teenager with Atalanta but has had terrible luck with injury the past year or so.

The 6ft 4in Giorgio Scalvini made his debut for Atalanta aged 17 and was 18 when making his first appearance for Italy, but then after two seasons as a first choice central defender, an ACL injury was picked up in the final game of the 2023/24.

Having recovered from that, Scalvini then had a shoulder injury further disrupt his 2024/25 season, making only six Serie A appearances last season, eight for Atalanta in total in all competitions.

Giorgio Scalvini is seen as a 21 year old with huge potential and having played at a high level for club and country at such an early age, clearly he has the ability, assuming he can successfully stay free from injury.

The Times talk of a possible deal for around £30m to make Scalvini a long-term option (as well as in the more immediate short-term, the 2025/26 season which is fast approaching) in central defence for Newcastle United and obvious parallels to be drawn with Sven Botman, who also achieved so much at an early age, including winning Ligue 1. The thought of the pair playing together at Newcastle United, injuries permitting…is an exciting one.

It feels like now we are into July, clubs will be more ready to do deals, reach compromises on transfer fees, especially if they are looking to bring in their own transfer targets.