By Russell Edge

21st Dec, 2017 | 10:21am

Talks held over Newcastle's January swoop for European giants' defender - report

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has made contact with European giants Roma over a January swoop for defender Emerson Palmieri, according to a report.

Italian football news source Tuttomercatoweb claim that the Spanish manager has been in touch with the Serie A side to enquire about the availability of the 23-year-old left back in January, who has recently recovered from a serious cruciate ligament injury.

It is said that Roma’s league rivals Juventus and Newcastle’s Premier League counterparts Liverpool have both held long term interest in the full back’s progress, although his injury layoff has reportedly seen Jurgen Klopp’s side cool their interest in the Brazilian born defender.

Emerson’s recent injury mean he has managed to make just two appearances for Roma this season, while he has a total of 47 outings under his belt for the Italian giants.

Football Insider verdict

As has been clear this season, Newcastle are in desperate need of a left back in the upcoming window, with the likes of centre back Chancel Mbemba and right back Javier Manquillo both utilised in the absence of a natural performer in the role. Emerson’s recent injury layoff will mean he is nowhere near full fitness, having completed 90 minutes just once this season, and whether he has what it takes to compete in the Premier League awaits to be seen. Still, it is testament to the impact Benitez has in the footballing world that Roma would even take his call, so it could be his pulling power convinces the left back to move to Tyneside, which would prove a real coup considering the level of competition for his signing.

In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club are said to have launched an official move for a Premier League striker.