Speculation is continuing to mount that Davide Santon could return to Italy this summer and reports this morning have linked him with a move to AC Milan. The Italian side have long admired Santon and the Journal understand they have proposed a swap deal involving left-back Kevin Constant after balking at our £6.5 million valuation of a player that fell out of favour at St James' Park towards the end of the campaign. Constant, a Ghana international, is understandably seeking the quickest exit possible from the San Siro after seeing his performances criticised by the Rossoneri faithful and enduring terrible racial abuse from Atalanta supporters that included having bananas and even a knife thrown towards him. A move to Tyneside is certain to appeal to the 27-year-old but, in truth, we're currently well stocked on the left side of defence with Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara acting as understudies to Santon, while Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has also filled in when required. To cut a long story short, our priorities lie elsewhere. Besides, we doubt the Club would entertain the idea of selling or exchanging Santon despite an alarming dip in form during the second half of last season. It's easy to forget that he is still only 23 and with his best years ahead of him and trading him for a player who isn't of the same pedigree would represent a bad deal for the Magpies.
