Newcastle United have deployed several scouts to Italy as they continue preparation for the January transfer window, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper report that the Magpies have had officials in attendance at Inter Milan, AC Milan, Genoa and Udinese matches in recent days, with Rafa Benitez on the hunt for attacking reinforcements.
The Chronicle claim that Benitez has also requested players with some Premier League experience, although domestic loans are out the window with both Kenedy and Salomon Rondon already at the club.
OPINION
It looks like the Magpies are busy at work in preparation for the upcoming window, and that is no surprise. Their poor start to the season has been offset by two consecutive wins, but make no mistake, Newcastle are in a battle against relegation this season. As was the case last term, the success of their recruitment strategy in the January window will go a long way to determining their fate in May, and this groundwork will help them make the correct decisions. It looks like much of their efforts at the moment are being focused on Italy, but they will no doubt be scouting players from across the continent. While owner Mike Ashley is said to be ready to release funds, it is more than likely that much of their business in the window will be loan deals from Europe, despite Benitez’s plea for players with experience in the Premier League.