Newcastle United are reportedly keen on Francesco Vicari.
According to Sport Mediaset in Italy, Newcastle United are interested in SPAL defender Francesco Vicari as Rafael Benitez seemingly eyes up potential January targets.
The Magpies lost 2-0 at home to Leicester City on Saturday afternoon as their dismal start to the season continues, having claimed just two points in seven games to open the campaign.
Questions linger over Benitez’s future as Newcastle boss as he seeks backing to make new signings in January, and he may still be in the market for defensive reinforcements.
Sport Mediaset report that Newcastle want to land SPAL defender Vicari in January, even though the Magpies brought in two defenders over the summer.
With Florian Lejeune injured and Chancel Mbemba sold to Porto, Benitez brought in Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez, and even though Lejeune is returning to bolster the defensive ranks alongside Schar, Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark.
Signing another centre back would therefore be a huge surprise, but Vicari has starred in Serie A since SPAL’s promotion last year, and he could simply be a target in case Lascelles – heavily linked to other Premier League clubs – moves on in 2019.
Benitez had two spells in Italian football with Inter Milan and Napoli, and may still have eyes on impressive performers in Italy, with Vicari certainly fitting the bill.
The 24-year-old, who stands at 6ft 4in tall, has been a mainstay of the SPAL side since his 2016 move from Novara, and Benitez is understood to be keen on bringing him to England – even though another centre back would be a strange choice for the Magpies as things stand.
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