It has not been the easiest summer transfer window for Newcastle United. Eddie Howe’s side have constantly seen their first-choice targets across the pitch turn them down, or they have lost out to other clubs. Bryan Mbeumo’s proposed move to Manchester United is a prime example of that.
Well, the Magpies have lined up a deal for former Man United academy star Anthony Elanga as an alternative to the Brentford winger, with the Nottingham Forest man set for a medical before a proposed £55m move.
At the other end of the pitch, Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini is a clear target for the Tynesiders. However, the Italian is not the only defender Howe’s side are lining up this summer.
Newcastle’s new defensive target
It remains to be seen just how realistic a deal to sign Scalvini is for Newcastle this season. The Magpies were reportedly engaging in discussions with Atalanta over the weekend, as per reports.
Well, another centre-back that the North East giants are pursuing is Chelsea’s French international defender Axel Disasi. According to a report from RMC Sport, Newcastle are one of a few sides who ‘have begun talks’ for the former AS Monaco star.
They are thought to be ‘interested in the international’s profile’, and could look to do a deal in the region of £25m, the fee Chelsea want from the move.
However, they are not the only club in the race, with Spanish outfit Villareal the one side ‘particularly persistent’ ahead of the deal.
Why Disasi would be a good signing
The 2024/25 campaign was by no means an easy one for 27-year-old Disasi. He fell out of favour under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and departed the club on a six-month loan deal in January, joining Aston Villa temporarily.
The centre-back, who was a part of France’s 2022 World Cup squad, made 27 appearances across all competitions for the Blues and the Villans last term. However, with just 852 Premier League minutes under his belt for both sides, he surely did not play the number of games he may have wanted.
Yet, the Frenchman did impress at Villa Park, despite the lack of football he played last term. Villans boss Unai Emery said in March that Disasi was a player “growing in confidence” the more he played. That came after a Player of the Match performance against Brentford away from home.
As football talent scout Jacek Kulig once said, he is a “dominant” player when at his best.
The Chelsea defender could be the perfect alternative to Scalvini, who also didn’t play in 2024/25. However, that was due to injury, with the 21-year-old first recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, before picking up a shoulder injury which essentially ended his season.
So, last season, the Italy star made just eight appearances. However, in 2023/24, a season in which Atalanta won the Europa League, Scalvini played 44 games. In the final, he played 45 minutes against a Bayer Leverkusen side who had, until that clash, gone invincible. He helped keep a clean sheet and steer his side to a 3-0 win.
With little football for both players last season, it is perhaps tough for the Magpies to judge who is best to sign. However, stats on FBref from the 2023/24 season can be used to help make a better call, with Disasi’s numbers stacking up well against his Italian counterpart.
For example, the Chelsea number two, who will surely leave Stamford Bridge this summer, averaged 3.9 progressive passes and 3.55 clearances per 90 minutes. In comparison, the Atalanta star averaged 4.1 progressive passes and 2.51 progressive passes each game.
|
Disasi and Scalvini key stats 2023/24 season compared |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Disasi |
Scalvini |
|
Progressive passes |
3.9 |
4.1 |
|
Progressive carries |
1.05 |
1.06 |
|
Tackles |
1.15 |
1.87 |
|
Clearances |
3.5 |
2.51 |
|
Ball recoveries |
5.23 |
5.76 |
|
Aerial duel win rate |
69.9% |
66.7% |
|
Stats from FBref |
||
Whilst there is no doubt that Scalvini would be a good addition for the Magpies, his injury record is a worry, and Disasi could prove to be the dream alternative. The 27-year-old brings experience, progression from the back and good reading of the game, as stats like ball recoveries show.
For just £25m, this could be the dream addition for Newcastle this summer, to enhance the quality they have at the back.
Related
He’d be a dream with Scalvini: Newcastle very close to signing £30m star
As Newcastle United increase their interest in Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini, the Magpies are also “very close” to sign a “world class” star.
