Newcastle United are ready to revive their interest in Monaco left back Antonio Barreca after their bid to sign Jordan Lukaku collapsed.
The 23-year-old Barreca had been lined up prior to Thierry Henry being sacked by Monaco last week.
An alternative loan for Lukaku from Lazio was sought but that fell through on medical grounds.
Rafa Benitez is now hoping to get Barecca in this week. He remains keen to sign another midfielder but Newcastle are still short of Atlanta United's valuation for Miguel Almiron.
Newcastle's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon will only further Benitez's argument that he needs more reinforcements.
Benitez gave managing director Lee Charnley his list of players in December but with the transfer window closing in four days, the Newcastle boss isn't confident that the club will be able to make any new signings.
He said: 'Today is the 26th, so I don't need to say too much. We don't have any players here.'
Asked why his mood was so low, Benitez replied: 'A little bit of everything, but I am a professional, so I am convinced that we will do what we have to do and in the end, we will stay up.
'But we have to concentrate and then be sure that we do the right things. Now we don't have any excuses in terms of what we have to do.'
EngrOluwealth
0
what did Monaco do now, no club should buy from Monaco again. you want to finally burry the club?
chidesco1
1
Mike Ashley should release funds for player transfer. If not, he should sell the club already, its about time