Everton Eye A Serie A Defensive Wall Stuck On The Bench: Can He Finally Become Moyes’ Defensive Answer? | OneFootball

Everton could bolster their backline this summer as Federico Gatti looks increasingly likely to leave Juventus, according to reports from TuttoSport and Gazzetta dello Sport. The 27-year-old Italian centre-back has made up his mind that he doesn’t want to spend his best years sitting on the bench for Luciano Spalletti, who doesn’t see him as a primary starter. Since coming back from injury in December, Gatti has only started one Serie A match, playing just four minutes in total over the last three league games.

Everton and Aston Villa chase the Juventus defender who refuses to sit on the bench

Juventus, meanwhile, see him more as a chance to balance the books rather than a vital part of the squad and are willing to sell for about €25 million. While Turkish clubs are interested, Gatti prefers a move to England.

Both Everton and Aston Villa are still very much in the hunt, per TuttoSport. Gatti’s numbers are actually quite solid. In 19 Serie A games during the 2025/26 season, he was part of a defence that conceded a goal roughly every 99 minutes, racking up 10 clean sheets while averaging 4.73 clearances and 0.91 tackles per 90 minutes.

Does Gatti genuinely fix the defensive fragility that has haunted Everton for years?

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Federico Gatti of Italy looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Everton’s defensive form has been a constant headache this season for Moyes, a manager who relies on a solid, structured setup. Gatti will be an ideal profile for him. He offers versatility while playing easily on either side of a back four or as a wide centre-back in a back three, giving Moyes more options on the tactical board. His high clearance rate and clean sheet record point to a defender who reads the game and manages space well, instead of just reacting to the ball.

However, because Gatti has been frozen out lately, there are real doubts about his match fitness. The Premier League is fast, and any”rust gets found out almost immediately.

At €25 million, Everton would be getting a dependable rotation player rather than a nailed-on starter, and it’s important to be honest about that trade-off. Moyes’ no-nonsense style pairs well with Gatti’s straightforward approach, making this a practical, realistic move for Everton as they look toward the 2026/27 campaign.