SPAL sports chief Davide Vagnati has invited Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez to call him about Francesco Vicari.

Newcastle are being linked with a January move for the SPAL defender.

And Vagnati told RMC: "He really wants to improve and has grown a lot, he will become a very important defender for Serie A.

"He is wanted by Benitez? Nobody called me, but if there was such an interest, we would be very pleased.

"He's making the right steps."