Newcastle want to pair Pieters with £10m Inter Milan youngster

Joey Barton may be on his way out of Newcastle United but it seems the Toon Army may finally have something to cheer.

Newcastle made an improved bid for PSV Eindhoven left-back Erik Pieters yesterday evening and while it is still a little way short of the Dutch club’s £6m estimation, it is believed the two clubs are very close to agreeing a deal.

Pieters would slot right into the vacant slot at left-back following Jose Enrique’s move to Liverpool but Alan Pardew is eyeing another full-back as he looks to bolster the Newcastle defence.

20-year-old Inter Milan defender Davide Santon has been attracting the eyes of a number of Premier League clubs, but it is believed Newcastle are in advanced talks with the Italian club with the view to a £10m move.

Santon was given his Inter debut by Jose Mourinho in the 2009/10 season and injuries to Cristian Chivu and Maicon meant the Italian received his fair share of first-team football.

Shortly after making his debut Santon was given the task of marking Cristiano Ronaldo in a Champions League tie with Manchester United and it was this performance that highlighted his potential.

The Italian has made 40 appearances for Inter Milan over the past three seasons and featured 11 times for Cesena during a loan spell towards the end of last season, and his performances have earned him seven caps for his country.

Both Pieters and Santon would have a huge impact on a Newcastle and a Newcastle back four of Pieters, Santon, Stephen Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini would be expected to perform strongly.

Currentyl Newcastle are a 5/1 chance to be relegated in spite of their solid start to the season, and should Pardew see a few results go against his side, Newcastle’s relegation odds will shorten.

Any new arrivals between now and the transfer window would provide punters with a little more confidence in Newcastle and it would certainly lift the atmosphere on Tyneside.