Newcastle preparing major bid for another top target? - Big claims from Italy

Newcastle United look set to sign exciting right winger Anthony Elanga in the next 24 hours, but the club still have plenty of key positions to fill this summer.

Goalkeeper James Trafford could still arrive from Burnley as talks drag on and it's been reported earlier today that we'll soon turn our attention to strikers.

However, that right-sided centre-back slot is another key area we've been attempting to strengthen for several windows now, looking for a long-term replacement for Fabian Schar.

Over the past week, we've seen growing noise surrounding our interest in Atalanta's 21-year-old sensation Giorgio Scalvini.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed our interest and 'initial approach' over the weekend, while The Times' Martin Hardy stated the Italian was a 'top target' at just a few days ago.

This week, TuttoAtalanta have now issued an update on the young defender, with the Bergamo-based outlet specialising in all-things Atalanta.

They report that Newcastle are preparing to offer 'mind-boggling figures' to land the Serie A centre-back, suggesting we are serious about signing Scalvini.

However, they insist that Atalanta have no plans to sell their star defender, insisting league rivals Napoli and Inter Milan also have little chance of landing the Italian following interest.

They even suggest that the player himself is happy to stay and knuckle down after missing much of the last season after an ACL injury was followed by a season-ending shoulder issue.

Who knows what happens next in our centre-back search, but if Atalanta are this reluctant to sell, the player is in no rush to leave and his injury issues leave a question mark over his head, it may be that we look elsewhere.