Newcastle’s January plans suffer a blow as Liverpool eye a £45m Italian defender to succeed Virgil van Dijk.

 

 

Newcastle United’s owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), may now need to intensify their efforts to sign Giorgio Scalvini after reports emerged that Liverpool have entered the race for the Atalanta defender and see him as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.

TEAMtalk transfer insider Graeme Bailey revealed Newcastle’s interest in Scalvini back on January 10, 2026. At the time, sources indicated that the Magpies were exploring defensive reinforcements due to ongoing injury concerns, with Scalvini being reassessed following his return to fitness. The 22-year-old Italy international, who stands 6ft 4in, has featured regularly for Atalanta this season, making eight Serie A starts, one substitute appearance, and a brief Champions League cameo.

With the January transfer window set to close next week, Newcastle are now under pressure to act quickly — but their task has become more difficult with Liverpool now also targeting Scalvini.

According to Sports Boom, Liverpool have turned their attention to the Atalanta centre-back after missing out on Marc Guehi, who joined Manchester City. Scalvini is reportedly valued at around £45 million, and Newcastle’s interest is also acknowledged in the report.

Liverpool are said to view Scalvini as a potential heir to Virgil van Dijk. Although there are no plans to move on from the Dutch defender at the end of the season, the Premier League champions are mindful that Van Dijk is now 34 and succession planning is required.

Inter Milan and Juventus are also monitoring Scalvini, who has contributed seven goals and five assists in 117 appearances for Atalanta. However, the Serie A club are pushing for a top-four finish and are reluctant to lose such a key player midway through the campaign. Scalvini remains under contract until the summer of 2028.

Given how late Newcastle have left their move, they are now unlikely to complete a deal before the window shuts and must also contend with growing competition from Liverpool.

In other Liverpool transfer news, a decision has been made regarding Curtis Jones’ future, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the possibility of Denzel Dumfries moving to Anfield, and Graeme Bailey has revealed the deadline Bayern Munich have set for Dayot Upamecano to sign a new contract — with Liverpool closely monitoring the situation.