Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce admits interest in Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli.

"He's a very good player but it's whether that money could be spent better on someone with Premiership experience," he said. "Barzagli's a top player but a top player with Premiership experience is more important to us.

"We've already got David (Rozehnal) in and if I put him in with someone else from another country, plus Steven Taylor and Stephen Carr, if he stays fit, there isn't a lot of Premiership experience there. You could have difficulties in the early part of the season."