Tottenham doing extensive background work on 22-year-old defender with over 120 appearances for Atalanta

Tottenham are eyeing defensive reinforcements in the summer.

Roberto De Zerbi will begin his tenure with a trip to the Stadium of Light as Tottenham Hotspur take on Sunderland on Sunday. The Lilywhites are battling relegation and will be desperate to get their first Premier League win of 2026.

Spurs need to win most of those games to boost their chances of staying up and bring in quality players during the summer transfer window. De Zerbi will fancy his chances of getting the job done and overseeing a massive rebuilding job after back-to-back disastrous domestic campaigns in N17.

Tottenham are in urgent need of defensive reinforcements, even if it requires substantial spending to bring in players capable of making an immediate impact. They need to tighten up the screws at the back, which may require signing a new centre-back to potentially replace either Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven.

Tottenham doing extensive background work on Atalanta defender

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Spurs are doing ‘extensive background work’ on Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini. They are among a growing list of admirers of the 22-year-old’s talent, with many top Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on him.

Long regarded as one of Europe’s most promising defensive talents, Giorgio Scalvini’s development in the last two years has been severely hampered by injury problems, including a serious cruciate ligament issue and shoulder operation. This hasn’t allowed the Italian to take his game to the next level, but now, fully fit and regaining his mojo, his renaissance in form has not gone unnoticed across the continent.

Tottenham are keen to sign the Atalanta star who has over 120 appearances for the club, as part of a wider squad overhaul ahead of next season. Technically gifted, aerially strong and quick through the ground, Scalvini possesses the ingredients to thrive in the hustle and bustle of Premier League football. He fits the profile of a defender to operate in De Zerbi’s possession-based system, while providing strong leadership.

Signing a player of Scalvini’s calibre would represent a strong piece of business for De Zerbi’s side. However, the report adds Newcastle United have been monitoring the Atalanta man for several years and remain firmly in the race.

That said, to at least compete with Newcastle for Scalvini’s signing, Tottenham have to stay up. If they manage to preserve their top-flight status, the N17 chiefs could push for the Italian’s signature and potentially pair him with Luka Vuskovic next season.