Liverpool and Man Utd ready for January BIDDING WAR for Serie A wonderkid
Cameron Smith
- 15 Sept 2023 12:34 BST
- 4 min read
Atalanta and Italy defender Giorgio Scalvini has attracted interest from Liverpool and Manchester United, with both sides keen on bringing the 19-year-old to England.
Scalvini broke into the Atalanta senior side during the 2021-22 season, but established himself as a first-team regular last year, despite starting the campaign aged just 18.
Since then, the Italian, who now has six senior caps for the national team, has emerged as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe, and clubs have begun to take note.
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Manchester City and Atletico Madrid were both keen on signing Scalvini last season, but talk of a move to either club has quietened since then.
Pep Guardiola’s side broke the transfer record for a defender when they signed Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig for €90 million this summer window, while Atleti strengthened their backline with the additions of Caglar Soyuncu and Cesar Azpilicueta (both free).
Javi Galan also joined from Celta Vigo, although he is a left-wing-back and is not a centre-back option.
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Scalvini to leave Atalanta?
According to 90min, Liverpool and Man Utd scouts were both in attendance for Italy’s 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifier win against Ukraine on Tuesday and Scalvini was one of several players being watched.
Man Utd are reportedly aware of the Italian thanks to their pursuit of his former Atalanta team-mate Rasmus Hojlund, with the Red Devils impressed by the 19-year-old.
Furthermore, Liverpool are keeping tabs on Scalvini as Jurgen Klopp eyes a defensive rebuild in 2024.
The Sun have reported that West Ham United star Nayef Aguerd is also admired by the Reds, but they could face competition from Manchester City for the Morocco international.
Scalvini has played 90 minutes in all three of Atalanta’s Serie A fixtures so far this season and is contracted to the Bergamo club until 2027.
Despite that, both Liverpool and Man Utd are reportedly preparing offers as they prepare for a January bidding war.
