Tuesday, 30 August 2011 11:12 UK
Inter Milan defender Davide Santon is having a medical at Newcastle United, BBC Sport understands.
The two clubs are understood to have agreed a fee in the region of £5m for the 20-year-old Italy international.
Santon spent the second half of last season on loan at Cesena after falling out of favour at Inter, initially under former manager Jose Mourinho.
Newcastle are also still trying to sign Charlton goalkeeper Rob Elliot after having a £100,000 bid turned down.
Santon, who was described as 'the new Paolo Maldini' earlier in his career, has won seven international caps for Italy.
Magpies manager Alan Pardew has been searching for a full-back since Jose Enrique left for Liverpool in a £6m deal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14716581.stm