Newcastle United are keeping a close eye on the situation of Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku as they look to strengthen their attack, according to FootMercato.
The Magpies opened their Premier League season with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Aston Villa where a lack of killer instinct in front of goal cost them, and the club are keen to bring in new attackers to replace Callum Wilson and potentially Alexander Isak, who continues to push for a move to Liverpool.
One player the club are said to be keeping tabs on is France international Nkunku, who is free to leave Chelsea this summer, but currently also has interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Newcastle Eyeing Nkunku Move
Christopher Nkunku celebrating after scoring for Chelsea
Nkunku, who reportedly earns around £300,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge, wants to leave Enzo Maresca's side after limited first-team opportunities under the Italian last season, while they have now added Jamie Gittens, Estevao, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro to the squad in forward positions.
Bayern have been looking at a loan deal with an option to buy next summer, but Chelsea bosses have made their stance clear - they want a permanent deal worth around £40m to sanction the player's exit.
Newcastle know they are in need of new forwards and are being ambitious in the market, despite being rejected so far this summer by a number of top targets including Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
Eddie Howe is still desperate to bring in Yoane Wissa this summer but Brentford are proving to be very difficult negotiators which has seen a move stall, and Isak's situation means they are also still looking at a second option too.
It's understood that 27-year-old Nkunku is keen on playing Champions League football this season as he looks to secure a place in the France World Cup squad for next summer. Newcastle can provide that, but they'd also have to convince him that St James' Park is the place to be over Bayern Munich, so this could drag on into the final days of the window.
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