Newcastle United are interested in a £70million-rated striker who was left out of his side’s latest friendly as speculation over his future ramps up.
The Magpies are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements as they prepare for a big season in which they will also be competing in the Champions League.
However, a curveball has been thrown Newcastle’s way as Alexander Isak seeks to leave the club and join Liverpool, while a number of key targets have passed the Magpies by.
Newcastle are undeterred in their pursuit of reinforcements and will have been buoyed by the news that one of their targets has missed out on a place in the squad for his side’s latest friendly.
Nicolas Jackson in action for Senegal
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Nicolas Jackson left out of Chelsea friendly vs Bayer Leverkusen
The player in question is Nicolas Jackson, who has decided that he wants to leave Chelsea this summer.
TBR Football understands Newcastle have stepped up their interest in Jackson, who is also wanted by Aston Villa.
Chelsea faced Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, and Jackson was neither in the starting line-up nor on the substitutes’ bench.
TBR Football understands Chelsea have placed a £70million valuation on Jackson, who has told the club he wants to leave, but they are also open to negotiations.
Sources have told TBR Football that Newcastle are ready to pay in excess of £50million, even close to £60million, to sign the Senegal international.
Jackson registered 13 goals and seven assists from 37 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season.
READ MORE: What Brentford have now done with Yoane Wissa that will give Newcastle hope of signing him soon
What Enzo Maresca has already said about Nicolas Jackson future
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca spoke to reporters at Thursday’s pre-match press conference and he admitted “anything can happen” on the Jackson front.
“Nico is okay,” Maresca said, as per football.london.
“I think as I just said, when the transfer window is open – unfortunately, or fortunately – anything can happen. This also involves Nico’s situation.
“At the moment we also have had two strikers arrive – Joao [Pedro] and Liam [Delap] – so we’ll see what happens.”