According to reports, Davide Santon has been linked with a shock return to Newcastle United during the summer.

The Italy international has dropped down the pecking order at Inter and was last picked by manager Stefano Pioli in January during a 3-0 victory over Pescara.

The 26-year-old has a year remaining on his current deal with Inter, though it is likely that he will be allowed to leave should he want to join a new club.

While Rafa Benitez will look to sign new left-backs during the summer, Santon will probably not be his first choice.

Santon also left the Magpies under dramatic circumstances in 2015 when former head coach John Carver claimed that he was not doing enough to justify selection and he (Santon) responded saying, “I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the comments made recently by John Carver about my move to Inter Milan.

“I want to say that I never thought for one moment, having been out injured for eight months, that I would immediately play again as a regular at Newcastle United.”