Newcastle United, Everton and West Ham dealt transfer blow following phone call with former Barcelona star

Newcastle United are hoping to add another centre-back to their squad during the remainder of the summer transfer window.

The Magpies have already been active in the transfer market in recent weeks after completing a permanent deal for loan star Lewis Hall free transfer moves for goalkeeper duo John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos. Eddie Howe’s options in defence were also given a much-needed boost by the addition of Lloyd Kelly, who has reunited with his former Bournemouth manager after his Cherries contract came to an end last month.

However, with long-term injuries suffered by Sven Botman and club captain Jamaal Lascelles likely to keep the defensive duo on the sidelines until November, the St James Park hierarchy remain keen to bring in another centre-back to compete with Kelly, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn for a place in Howe’s starting lineup. The Magpies have been linked with moves for the likes of RB Salzburg star Strahinja Pavlovic, Juventus youngster Dean Huijsen and AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw and reports in Italy have suggested a deal for the latter of that trio has progressed in recent days.

However, it is a possible move for another Serie A star that has been the subject of speculation over the last 24 hours after Newcastle and Premier League rivals West Ham United were credited with a strong interest in Juventus defender Federico Gatti. The three-times capped Italy international has made 63 appearances since he joined the Turin giants from Frosinone during the January transfer in 2022. The move to join Juve came after Gatti looked set to join city rivals Torino - but comments from then Juve manager Max Allegri proved to be a decisive factor in deciding his future. Speaking after completing the move, he said: “Allegri’s words about me (“He is the strongest defender in Serie B and he has everything to do well at Juve”)? They made me immensely happy, they charge me and empower me even more. I do not set myself limits, I want to deserve my stay in Juventus.”

After initially returning to his former club on loan, Gatti made his Juve debut in a 2-0 win against Spezia during the first month of the 2022/23 season and has become a regular feature in their defence over the last two years. Newcastle are believed to have monitored his progress at Juventus in recent months and were said to be considering a move for his services during the summer transfer window. However, TuttoSport have now claimed the 26-year-old does not want to leave Juventus despite being offered more money by the Magpies and Premier League rivals Everton and West Ham. The report reveals Gatti has received ‘reassurances’ from new Juventus head coach Thiago Motta, who is said to have ‘expressed his appreciation’ of the defender and gave some indication of his desire to use him in centre-back and right-back roles during his first season in charge at the Allianz Stadium.