According to reports yesterday, "Roma are targeting a move for Simpson, who has yet to pen a new deal with Newcastle and could be on the move".
The right-back has been a regular in the Magpies side over the past couple of seasons but he has refused to sign the £10,000-per-week deal that was put in front of him.
He argues that Fabricio Coloccini is on £60,000 and Mike Williamson is on 30,000 ... and why should he sign a deal so low?
However, he is out of contract in the summer and, unless he signs a new one, he could leave on a free.
His agent has been spreading the word that Fulham and QPR are interested in the 25-year-old - but neither club has admitted to it.
So, perhaps suggesting there is a fresh challenge awaiting him in Italy's Serie A could get Mike Ashley to rething his offer.
Scouts from Roma are reported to have allegedly been checking him out ... but the REAL target they are after is Davide Santon.