Russell Edge

Fri 5 January 2018 9:10, UK

Newcastle United are in the hunt alongside European giants Inter Milan for Hellas Verona winger Mohamed Fares, according to a report.
Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport claim on their website that the Magpies have joined both Inter and Napoli in seeking a January deal for the 21-year-old speed machine, who operates on the left flank.
The one-cap Algerian international is versatile enough to play both in his natural attacking role as well as filling in at left back, a position which the Magpies have had a real problem with this season with injuries forcing manager Rafael Benitez to rotate his options in absence of a natural choice for the role.
Fares has made 15 appearances across all competitions for Verona this season, scoring once and chipping in with a further assist, but has been sidelined for much of December as the result of a knee injury.
Football Insider verdict
Newcastle were in dire need of a natural left back in the absence of Paul Dummett, and it would be no surprise for the Magpies to swoop for some competition for him this January in order to avoid a repeat of this season’s issues. Fares is naturally a winger, which would put competition on the likes of Christian Atsu, but his versatility could make him a truly useful signing at St James’ Park. At 21-years-old, he is yet to prove himself fully, and would need time to settle, but if a decent fee could be arranged then this looks like a move that could actually happen. 
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club are looking to reignite a potentially record breaking swoop for an international playmaker in January.