Newcastle will battle it out with Everton and West Bromwich Albion for Inter Milan left back Yuto Nagatomo, according to Calciomercato.com.
The prolonged absence of first choice Paul Dummett with a hamstring injury has meant that manager Rafa Benitez has been forced to field the likes of Chancel Mbemba and Javier Manquillo out of position on the left hand side, and the Magpies boss will no doubt be looking to strengthen the area in the January transfer window if he can.
The departures of Vurnon Anita and Achraf Lazaar means that the club are light in the left sided full back area, with Manquillo coming in on a free transfer in the summer to support Jesus Gamez as backup options. Both Spaniards are however right footed, and Newcastle do lack balance on the left as a consequence. Benitez’s other option Massadio Haidara’s is deemed surplus to requirements, and is currently sidelined once more with a knee problem.
A move for Nagatomo would therefore seem a likely possibility. The 31 year old has started five matches in Serie A for Inter this season, and is still very much a first team regular under manager Luciano Spalletti.
