Everton are currently leading the charge to sign Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti before the 2026/27 season kicks off. While Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are also keeping tabs on the Italian international, the Toffees seem most determined.
Everton lead the race to sign Federico Gatti from Juventus this summer
The 27-year-old has found himself out of favour at Juventus since Luciano Spalletti took over; the manager clearly prefers a defensive setup centred on Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly. This change in the pecking order has left Gatti out in the cold, and it doesn’t look like his luck is going to change anytime soon. To make matters worse, a broken fibula earlier this year stalled his momentum, and he hasn’t managed a full 90 minutes in Serie A since the end of February.
Gatti’s story is famous, a late bloomer who was working as a bricklayer before his football career finally ignited. He offers plenty of physical presence, dominance in the air, and a real grit in one-on-one battles, plus he’s comfortable playing out from the back. However, he isn’t without his flaws. Gatti can get caught out by pacey attackers, and his disciplinary record, including a 13-yellow-card season at Frosinone, shows he can be a bit reckless when the pressure is on.
Juventus have slapped a €25 million price tag on him. Everton have already had one bid turned down but are reportedly ready to go back in with a fresh offer after tracking him for months, per Tuttosport, via Sport Witness. While Palace and Villa view the Italian as a solid way to bolster their squads, their interest doesn’t seem quite as advanced as Everton’s.
Would Gatti actually solve Everton’s defensive problem or just paper over the cracks?
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)
Everton definitely need a player like this, but they have to be smart about it. With Jarrad Branthwaite constantly sidelined by injuries, David Moyes is stuck relying on James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, and Jake O’Brien. That group struggles with both age and inconsistency. Gatti would provide a physical, battle-hardened Serie A presence with international experience, and for €25 million, the price is about right.
The worry is that Everton have a habit of signing decent defenders without fixing the tactical mess that leaves them exposed. If Moyes can actually build a proper system around Gatti instead of just throwing him into the mix, this move could be a game-changer for the 2026/27 campaign.
