Newcastle to return with bid for Monaco star having missed out on Lukaku

Newcastle are set to revert their attentions to Monaco defender Antonio Barreca having seen a move for Lazio’s Jordan Lukaku fall through on medical grounds, The Daily Mail reports.

Rafa Benitez is desperate to add to his threadbare squad at present, with a midfielder and a left-back the top priorities before the transfer window slams shut next week.

Barreca is a player that the manager had identified prior to Thierry Henry’s departure at Monaco, but the change at the top has encouraged The Magpies to make another enquiry having missed out on Belgium international Lukaku - the younger brother of Manchester United striker Romelu.

Barreca only joined the Ligue 1 side in the summer in a deal that saw midfielder Soualiho Meite head in the opposite direction to Torino.

The 23-year-old featured in just one league game under Henry due to injury and is still sidelined as things stand, so Newcastle will no doubt be wary of a case of deja vu following Lukaku’s failed medical at the club.

Barreca has made only eight appearances for Monaco in total, last appearing in a humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Club Bruges in the Champions League at the start of November.