Chelsea now want to sign two Newcastle stars with one unhappy under Eddie Howe, and Liam Delap could head the other way to St. James' as well.
Newcastle facing key summer exits as Howe plots major rebuild
Newcastle are facing one of the more demanding summers in recent years, with departures already confirmed and a number of high-profile players attracting interest from elsewhere.
Trippier
Kieran Trippier has announced he will leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, bringing to a close his time at St James' Park after more than 150 appearances and two Champions League qualifications.
Fabian Schar is in a similar position, with his deal also due to run out this summer, leaving Newcastle facing a potential defensive rebuild.
Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have both attracted significant interest from top clubs, adding further uncertainty to the backline.
Sandro Tonali continues to be linked with a move away, with Arsenal and Man United among the clubs monitoring his situation, while Anthony Gordon is of interest to Liverpool and other elite rivals.
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The Magpies have won what was a competitive race.
The expectation is that at least one significant sale will be needed to balance the books.
Into that picture, Chelsea are now believed to be eyeing up opportunities to poach a couple of Howe's stars.
Chelsea eyeing Lewis Hall and Nick Woltemade
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are seriously looking at the possibility of signing Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade this summer, as well as Hall.
Nick-Woltemade-2
The interest has a direct link to the ongoing speculation connecting Newcastle to Liam Delap: should Howe's side make an approach for the Blues striker, Chelsea plan to use that as an opening to discuss Woltemade as part of any negotiations.
But Phillips makes clear that Chelsea's interest in the German is not contingent on a Delap deal materialising.
"Chelsea sense an opportunity to sign him, even if Newcastle do not make an approach for Delap," Phillips states, via his Substack.
"They are aware that Newcastle are in need of selling some players this summer, and Woltemade isn't exactly happy there right now."
The specific angle Chelsea are pushing is a positional one.
Woltemade has spent the majority of his time at Newcastle operating as an attacking midfielder rather than as a centre-forward, a role he has been willing to embrace but one that does not reflect his natural preference.
Chelsea are prepared to offer him a striker's position, which Phillips reports is where the 23-year-old ultimately wants to play.
"Whilst he is embracing his role, he would always prefer to play as a striker — and Chelsea are looking to offer that," the journalist adds.
Woltemade joined Newcastle from Werder Bremen last summer as one of their more ambitious signings of the window.
His first season in English football has not been straightforward, and the combination of his positional frustration and Newcastle's financial situation has created an opening that Chelsea appear ready to test.
Hall is also on their agenda.
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall in action with FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo and Lamine Yamal
Phillips states on his Substack that Chelsea have begun exploring the possibility of bringing the defender back to Stamford Bridge, where he came through the academy before joining Newcastle.
Chelsea hold a sell-on clause in Hall's contract but no buyback option, meaning any deal would require Newcastle's cooperation and a full transfer fee.
However, Phillips is cautious on this one.
He notes that sources suggest Hall is unlikely to consider a return to Chelsea at this point in his career, and stops short of expecting anything concrete to develop. For now, it sits at the exploratory stage.
Both situations are apparently ones to watch as the summer window approaches.
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