NEWCASTLE UNITED have reportedly turned to Chelsea flop Timo Werner in their search for a new forward – but face a fight with Juventus for his signature.
Toon boss Eddie Howe is currently praying Callum Wilson has an injury free season after being forced to go back to the drawing board for new attacking reinforcements.
Newcastle and Juventus are battling it out to sign Timo Werner
The Mags boss will risk going into the new campaign with Wilson – who has started just 51 per cent of Prem games over the last two seasons – and Chris Wood after being quoted over-inflated figures for their transfer targets.
Newcastle have been linked with Werner for months – and now a fresh report claims they are keen to get a deal done this summer.
Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk tweeted that it was “TRUE” that the Magpies were interested in the German international – but they could face a fight with Juventus after transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed the Italians are also keen.
Werner has divided opinion since arriving at Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2020.
The 26-year-old, who earns a salary of £272,000 per week, has netted 23 times and provided 21 assists in 89 appearances for the Blues – and played 37 games last season.
But his prowess in front of goal remains somewhat questionable and the arrival of Raheem Sterling has pushed him down the pecking order.
However, as we reported previously, Chelsea allegedly want to use Werner as bait as they try to hijack Nordi Mukiele’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Blues have suffered a major transfer blow with the news that Barcelona look set to snatch Sevilla defender Jules Kounde from under their noses.
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They had agreed a £55million deal for the France international, 23, and hoped to finally end their year-long chase of the defender.
But Barcelona moved to usurp them – leaving Thomas Tuchel searching for an alternative.
Now Chelsea are trying to get RB Leipzig defender Mukiele instead.
The French international centre-half, 24, had allegedly already agreed terms to return to his homeland with PSG.
However, he has yet to sign the contract, and now Tuchel is plotting a dramatic late swoop.
This fresh report claims that Chelsea are “trying to hijack” the move and are ready to offer forward Werner, who signed from Leipzig in 2020, back to his old club.
