Former Newcastle United loanee Antonio Barreca could be on his way back to England with Watford keen to sign the Monaco left-back, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
A matter of weeks after moving to St James’ Park on a short-term deal, the former Italy U21 international was taking to social media to express his dissatisfaction over a lack of first-team football under Rafa Benitez.
And while that outburst didn’t exactly endear Barreca to the Magpies fanbase, you can understand his frustration.
The Monaco misfit arrived desperate to play regular first-team football.
But, four months and only four minutes of Premier League action later, Newcastle decided against triggering the option-to-buy clause in his contract.
With Watford now expressing an interest, Barreca will hope a second spell in England turns out to be far more successful than the first.
However, Tuttomercatoweb reports the recently relegated Hornets are battling a number of Serie A clubs, including a Fiorentina team containing Federico Chiesa and Franck Ribery, for a 25-year-old who spent last season on loan at Genoa.
Vladimic Ivic’s Watford have spent the whole summer looking for a left-back to replace Jose Holebas and Barreca’s arrival would, in theory, free Ken Sema to return to a more attacking role.
“Barreca and (Miguel) Almiron, both are offensive players, they are fine on the ball, they go forward, they have some pace and they bring us something we needed,” Benitez told The Chronicle after signing the Italian 18 months ago.
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