Newcastle United moved swiftly onto another defensive target following the collapse of the loan deal for Jordan Lukaku. Now, the Daily Mail reports the Magpies are chasing Monaco left-back Antonio Barreca.
The 23-year-old Italian is one of two signings Rafa Benitez hopes to complete this week. However, the club is far apart from Atlanta United’s valuation of Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron, 24.
Despite knowing who Benitez’s targets were before Christmas, the club has yet to land any signings. The situation prompted concerns on Tyneside that Benitez would walk away in the summer.
Those concerns saw the club appear to spring into action with Lukaku, the brother of Manchester United striker Romelu. The deal, though, fell apart when the Belgian failed a medical ahead of a proposed loan move to St James Park.
Barreca moved to the Ligue Un club last July but has made just seven league appearances. This despite Monaco’s troubles which sees them sit second from bottom in Ligue Un.
The club sacked Thierry Henry recently and re-appointed Leonardo Jardim as head coach. Despite failing to cut the mustard during the 2 – 0 defeat at Dijon this weekend, Barreca is still no closer to a place in the starting XI, A move to St James Park may be the kickstart his career needs.
