United are expected to sign a new centre-back in the winter window amid uncertainty over Raphael Varane’s future.
The Frenchman has fallen down manager Erik ten Hag’s pecking order this season, starting just 11 times for Man United in all competitions.
Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have been prized above Varane in recent weeks when they were fit, while Lisandro Martinez, who has been out since last September with a foot injury, is Ten Hag’s first-choice centre-back. When available.
Varane is reportedly keen to stay at Old Trafford and extend his contract, which expires in June 2024, but Man United have reportedly not submitted a 12-month extension clause.
A recent report claims that Man United met Atalanta star Scalvini, 20, as a conceivable replacement for Varane this month.
However, according to SportItalia, Atalanta are not finding it easy to pay €60 million (£51 million) for the Italy international, who is set to leave in January.
Atalanta are not quick to take credit for Scalvini as he still has four-and-a-half years left on his current contract.
Scalvini has established himself as Atalanta’s regular first-team coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, since making his senior debut in October 2021, and is widely regarded as one of Italy’s brightest prospects.
The youngster has made a total of 76 first-team appearances across all tournaments, making 20 appearances this season for a team that sits sixth in the Serie A table.
Scalvini, who has previously attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, was rewarded for his impressive form over the last 12 months by receiving the 2023 Italian Golden Boy award.
Saed Kolasinac, a teammate of the 6ft-4in protector, a former Arsenal player, recently praised the youngster, telling reporters from the Daily Mirror: “I’m blown away by the adulthood of his [20s]. He reads the game well, he knows what to do, what to do with the ball, how to protect one-on-one, how to use his frame to score.
“It’s nice to have him alongside [me] in defence. But first of all he is a good guy, even humble. If he doesn’t lose this character, he will have a great career.”
Scalvini is expected to play in Atalanta’s next Serie A match against Roma on Sunday night.