You are using our mobile site, click here to use our Desktop view.
Newcastle are being linked with a summer move for AC Milan defender Davide Bartesaghi, with the Italian youngster emerging as a potential left-sided option for Eddie Howe.
The 20-year-old is one of the more interesting defensive talents in Serie A, and Newcastle's interest makes sense. Howe's squad needs greater depth at full-back and centre-back, especially with European football placing extra demands on the group. Bartesaghi offers an unusual mix: he is naturally a left-back, but at around 6ft 4in, he has the size and physical profile to develop into a left-sided centre-back too.
That versatility is likely to be a major reason Newcastle are watching him. Modern Premier League squads need defenders who can cover multiple roles, and Bartesaghi could give Howe an option who can play wide, tuck inside, defend aerially and help build from the back. He is left-footed, technically calm and still young enough to be shaped into whatever role Newcastle need most.
His season stats show why he is gaining attention. Bartesaghi has played regularly for Milan this campaign, making around 30 Serie A appearances and recording two goals. He has also played more than 2,000 league minutes, a strong return for a defender still only 20. That level of exposure at Milan is important. Young defenders are not usually trusted unless coaches believe they can handle pressure, and Bartesaghi has already been tested in one of Europe's biggest football environments.
The fee would not be simple. Milan are believed to rate him highly and have been planning talks over a new contract. His current deal runs until 2030, which gives the Italian club strong control. Reports have suggested Milan could eventually demand a major fee, potentially around €40m to €45m, if Premier League clubs push seriously.
Newcastle may hope to move before his price climbs further. They have already shown a willingness to shop in Serie A, and a young Italian defender with top-level experience would fit their recruitment model. Bartesaghi would not necessarily arrive as an automatic starter, but he could become a long-term solution on the left side of the defence.
There will be competition. Other Premier League clubs have also scouted him, while Milan would prefer to keep him and continue his development. That makes this a difficult deal, but not an impossible one.
Written by Ketan Patel
Football News stories today