David Moyes has led a remarkable turnaround at Everton this season, guiding the team toward a realistic pursuit of European competition in their inaugural season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The club has secured three victories in their last four league outings, highlighted by a commanding 3-0 win against Chelsea before the recent international break.
This impressive form has ignited a serious late-season bid for continental football. Central to this newfound defensive strength is goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is currently rivaling Arsenal’s David Raya with a total of 11 clean sheets. With Jarrad Branthwaite sidelined for a significant part of the season due to a hamstring injury and veteran James Tarkowski, now 33, reaching a point where his fitness and contract are evaluated year-by-year, Everton must address their needs in the centre-back market this summer.
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Five Premier League Clubs Interested in Juventus Defender Federico Gatti
Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti is drawing significant interest from five Premier League teams as the summer transfer window approaches, according to Calciomercato, as shared by Sport Witness. The report states that Newcastle United, Leeds United, Everton, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham United are all monitoring the 27-year-old defender.
Juventus is expected to allow him to depart at the end of the season to realize a profit on their initial investment. Sport Witness previously reported on a competition for the defender that included Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Lyon two months ago, but the interest has evidently expanded since then.
Gatti joined Juventus from Frosinone for €9 million in January 2022 and was loaned back to his former club for the remainder of that season. Since then, he has made 132 appearances for Juventus. In 16 Serie A matches this season, Gatti has allowed 10 goals while achieving seven clean sheets, indicating his team concedes approximately once every 96 minutes when he is on the pitch.
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He averages 0.85 tackles, 1.03 interceptions, and 4.61 clearances per 90 minutes, showcasing his role as an active and physically robust defender. (Stats via Footy Stats). While Transfermarkt lists him at €16 million, Juventus is reportedly holding out for around €25 million, matching his highest valuation recorded in October 2024. His contract, signed last July, runs until 2030, with representation by Agency One Players’ Agent. Calciomercato.it notes that a move to Nottingham Forest or West Ham could hinge on whether those teams remain in the Premier League.
Is Federico Gatti the Solution to Everton’s Pressing Needs?
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Federico Gatti of Juventus FC reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
It’s unlikely Gatti would be the best priority for Everton considering their defensive challenges. While Everton certainly needs defensive reinforcements, Gatti has certain limitations that may render him a poor fit for a club aspiring to compete in Europe next season. His Serie A statistics this season are solid but not exceptional.
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With an average of 4.61 clearances and just over one interception per 90 minutes, Gatti appears to rely more on reactive measures rather than proactive organization—suitable for a mid-table team like Juventus but potentially problematic for Moyes’ Everton which plays a higher defensive line and anticipates opponents’ attacks more effectively.
Additionally, the €25 million asking price exceeds Gatti’s €16 million Transfermarkt valuation. Everton’s priorities this summer are shifting toward improving their attacking options, having already been linked with Roma striker Artem Dovbyk and PSV’s Ricardo Pepi. Investing heavily in a centre-back like Gatti, who may not significantly upgrade their defense, especially with Branthwaite regaining fitness, is likely to be an inefficient use of funds. Gatti might be a better fit for clubs like Leeds United or Newcastle United, who could benefit from his skill set given their current defensive depth. For Everton, the financial resources would be better allocated elsewhere.