Exclusive: Juventus captain makes decision on future, Newcastle and Aston Vila like him
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Federico Gatti has agreed to sign a new contract at Serie A giants Juventus while putting an end to any interest from Premier League duo Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
As part of backline which has remarkably conceded only one goal in seven Serie A outings since Thiago Motta replaced Max Allegri in the dugout, Juventus are understandably keen to reward one of their most consistent performers.
Federico Gatti has started five times so far under Motta in league action. He has also captained the Bianconeri in the absence of veteran Brazilian and club skipper Danilo.
And, while Gatti currently has a contract which runs until the summer of 2028, TBR can now confirm that the Italy international has agreed terms on a new and improved deal as Juventus look to ward off interest from England.
TBR understands that Newcastle United showed an interest over the summer.
Gatti was potentially viewed at St James’ Park as an alternative to their top centre-half target, Newcastle United missing out on a deal for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
Alongside Guehi, Newcastle’s interest in Gatti remained beyond the close of the summer window too, with Fabian Schar now 32 years of age and Sven Botman yet to recover from an ACL injury he suffered in the spring.
Federico Gatti to snub Newcastle United and Aston Villa for Juventus
Gatti, who has continued to improve since joining Juventus from Frosinone back in 2022, also has admirers at Aston Villa.
Aston Villa looked set to sell Diego Carlos at one point over the summer, with Fulham fans of the experienced South American. Gatti may have been seen as a replacement.
Fulham then towards Joachim Andersen instead, however. As such, Diego Carlos remains an Aston Villa player. But a poor start to the season – Carlos was criticised again after being bamboozled by Liam Delap in the recent 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town – Aston Villa may still in the market for another central defender.
But Gatti is highly unlikely to be on his way to the Premier League now.
Thiago Motta, who got the Juve gig after guiding Bologna into the Champions League last term, is a big fan of the the 6ft 4ins colossus. He has made it clear that Gatti is not available for transfer, with that new contract likely to come as a relief to his head coach.
Gatti’s importance will only grow, meanwhile, after Juve lost Gleison Bremer to a long-term knee injury.
Federico Gatti shining in Thiago Motta’s brilliant Juve defence
“With Bremer, Danilo and the whole team, we have been playing together for three years. There is chemistry,” Gatti said recently when asked to explain Juventus’ outstanding defensive returns.
“But we have to be careful with judgments at the beginning. The season is long.
“Many things have changed [under Thiago Motta]. It is clear that it takes time. We press higher, sometimes we find ourselves man against man. Both Allegri and Thiago Motta are two top coaches, with ideas that are perhaps similar but different
“We are starting to learn many things.”
Gatti was linked with Aston Villa back in late-2023 as well.
Nottingham Forest were mentioned at the time, before Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flying side snapped up another Serie A giant in ex-Fiorentina powerhouse Nikola Milenkovic.
