---
title: "Newcastle United: Magpies ‘exploring’ Nicolas Tagliafico signing"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/nicolas-tagliafico-chelsea-ajax-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-12-30T11:40:30Z"
modified: "2021-12-30T11:40:30Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Magpies ‘exploring’ Nicolas Tagliafico signing

**Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘exploring’ the possibility of signing Nicolas Tagliafico once the [January transfer window](https://www.givemesport.com/1754870-january-transfer-window-2022-when-does-it-open-when-does-it-close-and-which-players-are-going-to-move) opens in just a couple of days.**

### The Lowdown: Defenders needed

With no fewer than [42](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) goals conceded in the Premier League so far this term, the most along with bottom-of-the-table Norwich City, it is clear that the defence needs strengthening at St. James’ Park.

\[freshpress-poll id=”384021″\]

[Kieran Trippier](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/newcastle-kieran-trippier-transfer-claim-keith-downie/) and [Sven Botman](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/transfer-news-sven-botman-lille-premier-league/) have both already been strongly linked with a move to the North East, and so it seems as if the Tyneside outfit are looking at bringing in a new right-back and a central defender, as well as potentially a left-back in Tagliafico.

### The Latest: Tagliafico move explored

As per journalist [Matteo Moretto](https://twitter.com/MatteMoretto/status/1475881974690721793), who works for Sky Sports in Italy, both the Magpies and Chelsea are ‘exploring’ the potential signing of Tagliafico next month.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”383619″\]

However, there currently have not been any club-to-club contacts as of yet between Ajax and the Toon.

Chelsea may be a serious competitor too, given their injuries in the full-back department, as Reece James joined Ben Chilwell on the treatment table this week.

### The Verdict: Sign

Described as a ‘[big-name](https://www.footballinsider247.com/hutton-impressed-as-leeds-launch-reported-bid-to-sign-big-name-tagliafico/)‘ player by former top-flight full-back Alan Hutton back in April, Tagliafico is certainly someone who would elevate the quality in Eddie Howe’s squad, at least offensively.

He is currently averaging more shots, dribbles and a higher pass accuracy than both Jamal Lewis and Matt Ritchie in their respective domestic leagues so far this campaign, and has a goal in the Eredivisie despite seven of his appearances coming from the bench ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/PlayerComparison)).

The Argentina international has also played in the UEFA Champions League no fewer than 24 times, including twice this season ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nicolas-tagliafico/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/131225/plus/0?saison=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=CL&pos=&trainer_id=)), showing that he is more than capable of playing at the highest level, and could well make a big difference in NUFC being relegated down to the Championship or staying up.

[***In other news, find out which 149-goal poacher Newcastle are now targeting here!***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/gabriel-barbosa-flamengo-premier-league-2/)