Newcastle fans have been eyeing up some potential free agent signings, and a move for Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio could rescue the Magpies’ disappointing transfer window.

What's the story?

The Chronicle wrote their annual “free agents that Newcastle could sign” piece this week, and fans were all eyeing a move for Hatem Ben Arfa.

While Ben Arfa would certainly raise a few eyebrows, the much safer signing would be former Juventus man Marchisio, who was also included in the article, which you can read here.

The 32 year-old opted not to renew his contract in Turin, and as long as the Premier League sign off the deal, Rafa Benitez should be able to have Marchisio available once a move is complete.

[brid autoplay="true" video="284523" player="12034" title="Watch The FFC Accy Show Another winning double plus a mega sixfold"]

Shelley's new partner?

The Magpies’ midfield duo of Mo Diame and Jonjo Shlevey were both brilliant in the second half of last season, but even with the summer signing of Ki Sung-yueng they are still light in that department, especially when Ki goes to the Asian Cup in January.

Diame has not had a great start to the season either, and while Marchisio is a year older than the all-action midfielder, he is far more technically gifted, and could probably even teach Shelvey a thing or two.

The 5 ft 11 in ace is about as well rounded a midfielder as you will ever find, and his stats during his 13-year stay with Juventus prove exactly that. Across the last three seasons, Marchisio boasts an 88 per cent pass success rate in Serie A, while averaging well over one tackle, one interception and one chance created per 90 minutes.

Back in his prime those numbers were practically doubled, and while he isn’t the box-to-box presence he once was, the 55-cap Italian international still has all the technical quality, vision, passion and physicality to be a huge success on Tyneside.

[ad_pod ]

So, Newcastle fans, would you like to see a move for Marchisio? Could the Magpies pull it off? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…