According to a recent report by Chronicle Live, Newcastle United would opt to secure the services of AS Monaco left-back Antonio Barreca as they look to find a suitable back-up for Paul Dummett during this winter transfer window. The same report has also revealed that the Magpies are prepared to reignite their interest on the Ligue 1 talent following Jordan Lukaku’s failed loan transfer from Lazio.
Barreca has been a sporadic feature in Monaco’s first-team this season after his arrival from Torino last summer. He has played in just nine matches for the French club this term making an average of 1.4 tackles and 2.1 clearances per game. Despite his lack of game time at the Stade Louis II, the left-back has managed to earn two assists going forward which proves how much of a threat he can be down the left flank going forward.
The Torino born talent grew up playing football for his boyhood club before having loan spells with Cittadella and Cagliari Calcio. He finally managed to establish himself as a regular starter in the Torino first-team back in 2016.
However, the former Serie A prospect’s time in France has not been too fruitful so a change in scenery this month could help the player get some valuable game time on the pitch.
Newcastle are in dire need of some fresh faces at the back as the club is currently in serious trouble and could be relegated from the Premier League at the end of this campaign. The lack of investment in recent transfer windows has not helped Rafael Benitez’s cause at St. James’ Park. Hence, the Spanish manager has resorted to looking for loan deals in January so that his team has a fighting chance of saving themselves by putting in a good run of results during the second half of this season.
The acquisition of someone like Barreca might be a clever move for the Magpies as he will be an ideal back-up to Dummett for the left-back position in Benitez’s starting XI. The Italian full-back boasts blistering pace and is a decent dribbler with the ball down the wide areas. He can also put in a solid defensive shift in his own half which is exactly what Benitez’s team are crying out for at this moment.
Hence, the Tyneside outfit should consider bringing him to St. James’ Park either on a loan deal or on a permanent basis before next Thursday’s transfer deadline.
