Newcastle United have re-entered the race to sign Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea (Marc Mechenoua).
Manager Eddie Howe and the St James’ Park hierarchy are weighing up a late attacking move in the transfer window.
The Magpies are determined to bolster their frontline after a frustrating summer, and reports in France suggest Newcastle are now firmly back in the mix for Nkunku.
The Newcastle transfer target has been made available by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
The 27-year-old French international is attracting widespread interest, not only from the Tyneside club, with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan also exploring deals.
Chelsea are only willing to sanction a permanent transfer for the forward, whose Stamford Bridge contract runs until 2029, and have ruled out any loan exit.
Nkunku, a Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate, registered 15 goals and five assists across 48 appearances for the Blues last season.
Despite flashes of brilliance, he has struggled for consistent minutes in West London and missed Chelsea’s Premier League opener through injury.
Bayern have already had a loan approach rejected, while Inter remain on alert.
But the Newcastle project also reportedly appeals to Nkunku, who is open to a move away from Stamford Bridge after failing to nail down a guaranteed starting spot.
Sources close to the forward have suggested he would also be keen on a Bundesliga return, but Newcastle are prepared to rival Europe’s heavyweights.
The Magpies are currently facing uncertainty around Alexander Isak’s future, and Howe is keen to ensure depth in his attacking options ahead of another gruelling campaign.
Nkunku’s versatility as both a striker and an attacking midfielder could, on paper, provide cover across the frontline for the Tyneside outfit.
Yet despite the links, questions remain over whether Nkunku truly fits Howe’s football.
The Chelsea man excels in fluid, possession-based attacks, whereas Newcastle play with intensity, structure, and pace.
After missing out on priority summer targets, a swoop for Nkunku looks like a panic move rather than a calculated step forward for the Magpies.
Stats from Transfermarkt