Newcastle make contact over Davide Bartesaghi move - Report

Newcastle United need full-backs through the door this summer to cover both sides of the pitch.

The Magpies have seen Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett leave already this summer, which leaves Tino Livramento on the right and Lewis Hall on the left with no ready-made backup options.

A lot of focus has been on replacing Trippier, but there's also a big gap on the left to fill, and that's where AC Milan's Davide Bartesaghi could come in.

The 20-year-old has had an excellent breakout season in Italy, making 33 appearances in all competitions.

Newcastle have reached out to Davide Baresaghi

Newcastle have 'closely monitored' Bartesaghi, according to Italian outlet MilanPress, who also claim that contact has been made by the Magpies, although no bid has been made as yet.

Italian journalist Matteo Moretto claimed Newcastle were keen on Bartesaghi at the start of last month, so it's not surprising to see Newcastle linked again.

Sport Witness picked up the story from MilanPress, and they claim that Bartesaghi could be a replacement for Lewis Hall, but that doesn't make any sense.

Newcastle cannot afford to lose Lewis Hall, nor would they have any interest in letting him leave. Talk of a rift between Hall and Eddie Howe has been rubbished, which would have been the only reason we could see Hall being moved on.

It needs to be Bartesaghi AND Hall

While we were braced for a few exits this summer, the fact that Sandro Tonali is now being strongly linked to Tottenham suggests he looks to be the next big player out the door, following Anthony Gordon; we simply cannot allow Hall to go too.

Davide Bartesaghi would be a good signing, but he'd have to come in as an option to Lewis Hall, not a replacement.

So far, all the noise is coming from Italy, though, so pinches of salt are required for now.

Rumour Rating: 6/10 - High for an Italy-based story, we know, but there does appear to be something to this one.