Former Inter Milan and Roma boss linked with Newcastle United as fresh Serie A transfer talk emerges

Roma's coach from Italy Luciano Spaletti reacts during the Italian Serie A football match Bologna vs AS Roma at "Dall'Ara Stadium" in Bologna on April 9, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Spalletti, also formerly of Sampdoria, Udinese and Zenit, is currently without work having left Inter in 2019.

And according to a report in the Italian press, he is a name in the frame to replace Steve Bruce at the end of the 2019/20 Premier League season.

United’s prospective new owners PIF, Reuben Brothers and PCP Capital Partners, whose £300million deal is in the hands of the Premier League at present, are likely to hang on to Bruce for the remainder of the current campaign, but then look to upgrade in the summer.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli shakes hands with Jordan Henderson of Liverpool prior to the UEFA Champions League group E match between Liverpool FC and SSC Napoli at Anfield on November 27, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

According to Calcio Mercato Spalletti has emerged as a potential candidate once the takeover is completed.

The 61-year-old joins ex-United fan favourite Rafa Benitez, of Dalian Yifang, Mauricio Pochettino, Lucien Favre and Max Allegri on the reported shortlist drawn up by the Magpies’ owners in waiting.

The 61-year-old Italian has managed Inter Milan, Roma and Zenit St Petersburg and has won two Coppa Italias, two Russian Cups and one Russian Premier League title.

Meanwhile, former Benitez signing in Naples, Kalidou Koulibaly has reportedly been earmarked as a potential new United signing – when the window reopens.

Foot Mercato claim ‘Newcastle wants to be very offensive in the transfer market’ and the Magpies ‘will launch an attack on several prime targets’.

They claim United have ‘officially entered into contact with SC Napoli to recruit Koulibaly’ with a fee of around £70million quoted in the report.