Left-back Barreca has joined Newcastle from Monaco on loan.
Rafa Benitez has delivered his verdict on Newcastle United’s newest recruit Antonio Barreca on the club’s official website, describing him as a left-back that is “good going forward”.
Newcastle completed their first signing of the January transfer window by landing Barreca on a loan-to-buy deal until the end of the season from Ligue 1 heavyweights AS Monaco.
Barreca, 23, only joined Monaco at the start of the season from Serie A side Torino, but managed just nine appearances for Monaco during the first half of the season. He has been allowed to leave.
Benitez delivered his verdict on the Italy Under-21 international on Newcastle’s website, stating that Barreca fills a hole that has needed filling for some time. Benitez reckons Barreca is excellent going forward, saying it is a “positive” signing.
“The left-back/left-wing-back position is one we’ve been looking to strengthen for a while and he’s an Italy under-21 international who we know has quality, good delivery and is good going forward,” Benitez said.
“He has the attributes, he has the quality and he has the characteristics that we look for. Now we must see how quickly he can adapt, but we will try to help him and if he can give us more competition in this area, and more quality in the final third with his deliveries, the only thing I can see is a positive.”
Newcastle’s Paul Dummett has been missing for much of the season with constant hamstring woes, meaning Matt Ritchie and Javier Manquillo have played out of position on the left side of defence.
Barreca is expected to be the first of two signings on deadline day, with Miguel Almiron close to completing a club-record deal. More incomings could also occur.
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