Newcastle interested in £52M Chelsea star as Magpies eye £100m double deal

Newcastle United continue to find themselves locked in a transfer window defined as much by frustration as ambition, with Chelsea emerging as both a thorn in their side and a potential source of solutions.

The Blues, under the direction of Enzo Maresca, have already made notable moves this summer, snapping up players like Liam Delap and Joao Pedro in swift, high-profile deals that have only widened the financial gap between themselves and competitors like Newcastle.

While the Magpies remain relatively cautious with their spending, Chelsea appear to be embracing a scattergun strategy, throwing money at multiple targets and reshaping their squad with ruthless intent.

Yet, despite this flurry of activity, one of Chelsea’s own could now be on Newcastle’s radar as a possible solution to their attacking problems.

Christopher Nkunku, the French forward whose time at Stamford Bridge hasn’t quite matched expectations, has reportedly caught the eye of Newcastle.

According to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, the Magpies have shown interest in acquiring the versatile attacker, who joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig for a significant fee but has struggled for consistent minutes in the Premier League.

Nkunku, who tallied 15 goals across all competitions last season, has been unable to fully break into Chelsea’s starting XI, and his place in the squad looks even more precarious following the arrival of Joao Pedro.

With Chelsea looking to raise funds through player sales to fuel their ongoing recruitment spree, Nkunku could be one of the high-profile departures that helps offset their summer spending.

Financial considerations remain a key part of the equation, especially when it comes to Nkunku’s wages, which may exceed Newcastle’s salary structure.

Moreover, other clubs — including Nottingham Forest, Bayern Munich, and several Serie A sides — have reportedly expressed interest in the French international.

Nonetheless, Nkunku’s positional flexibility makes him an attractive option. Capable of playing as a striker, a number ten, or in attacking midfield roles, he could offer Eddie Howe’s side a much-needed injection of creativity and finishing ability — attributes that Newcastle lacked during key periods last season.

Law notes that Chelsea aim to generate over £200 million in sales this summer, with Nkunku representing the kind of fringe player who could command serious attention on the transfer market.

This financial strategy is not just about balancing the books, but about giving Chelsea the leverage to continue their aggressive approach in signing new talent. One such target is Xavi Simons, a player Newcastle were loosely linked to earlier in the summer.

Now, it appears Simons is leaning towards a move to Stamford Bridge, with discussions underway and a reported £60 million valuation attached to him.

Alongside Simons, Chelsea are also reportedly targeting Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, valued at around £40 million.

The young Dutchman was briefly on Newcastle’s radar during his participation in the U-21 European Championships earlier this year.

However, it seems increasingly unlikely that Newcastle would enter a bidding war of that magnitude, especially given their current financial approach, which appears more cautious and calculated than ever.

Adding further to the intrigue, Newcastle have also been linked with another Chelsea player — Tosin Adarabioyo.

The Blues signed the defender from Fulham on a free transfer just over a year ago, beating Newcastle to the punch. Now, Chelsea are asking £30 million for his services, an ironic twist given their previous swoop.

This dynamic between the two clubs is becoming increasingly familiar. While Newcastle focus on smart, sustainable signings and wrestle with financial fair play constraints, Chelsea continue to flex their financial muscle in a way that often disrupts others’ plans.

The Magpies’ apparent interest in Nkunku represents a rare opportunity to turn that disruption to their advantage, capitalizing on Chelsea’s bloated squad to fill a pressing need in their own.

Yet the larger picture remains one of contrasting strategies and financial realities. Newcastle, despite their upward trajectory and ambitions to challenge for European spots, still find themselves limited in what they can achieve unless they sell before they buy.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s lavish spending continues unchecked, raising questions about sustainability, long-term planning, and fairness in the modern transfer market.

For now, Newcastle can only hope that a player like Nkunku — a proven talent in need of a new start — might fall within reach and finally tilt the window in their favor.