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Last Friday, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà reported Newcastle United are ahead of other Premier League sides in the race to sign Juventus’ Federico Gatti.

The centre-back was a regular for the Old Lady, and made 32 appearances in the league last season. Italy manager Luciano Spalletti included him in his Euro 2024 squad, but he didn’t make an appearance for Azzurri.

Despite the disappointing Euros for the 26-year-old, Il Bianconero say he has managed to attract interest from elsewhere and only Newcastle are mentioned.

It’s claimed the Magpies ‘have not hesitated’ to make first contact for the centre-back.

The Italian’s deal lasts until 2028, and the Turin club have a clear plan for his future. Last month, Juve appointed Thiago Motta as Massimiliano Allegri’s successor, and Gatti is likely to have an important role under the new manager.

Despite Newcastle making contact to try and sign the player, the Italian club don’t seem to part ways with him this summer as they are ‘betting heavily’ on Gatti.

This won’t please Eddie Howe’s side, who would now face an uphill task to convince Juve to change their stance to sign the defender.