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Newcastle ‘plot transfer raid on Chelsea’ for £35m star with SIX YEARS left on contract to replace Miguel Almiron
Toon are about to secure their first signing of the summer
CHELSEA star Noni Madueke is on Newcastle United’s wishlist as they look to secure a new right winger.
SunSport reported yesterday how the Magpies and the Blues were both plotting a swoop for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise.
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Olise has a £60million release clause and also has Manchester United, Manchester City and Bayern Munich interested in him.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is looking to overhaul his squad during the summer transfer window and has identified two key positions he wants to strengthen.
Defence is one area, but a wide man to go down the right remains the other.
And now has claimed that Chelsea’s England U21 attacker Madueke, 22, is on their shortlist also.
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Fan favourite Miguel Almiron looks set to depart St. James’ Park and we understand that Toon chiefs have already contacted Palace regarding French U21 international Olise.
But there is also an acknowledgement that he will have a number of options to choose from should he leave Selhurst Park.
And this report states that a “viable alternative would be Madueke, who may become available if the Blues manage to land Olise”.
The attacker is under contract until 2030 and it is believed that Chelsea would only consider selling if they got Olise.
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Madueke joined Chelsea from PSV in January 2023.
After he left Tottenham’s academy in 2018, he moved to Holland and came through the ranks at the Dutch giants.
Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo Maresca
Madueke then went on to shine under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge last term.
He scored eight goals and produced three assists in his 34 appearances.
It is also a little complicated for the Magpies on the transfer front as they still need to offload players before any new cash signings due to PSR reasons.
That is why they are willing to let Paraguayan ace Almiron go after five years on Tyneside.
Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo Maresca
ENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.
Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens - with Cole Palmer in the side.
His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola's assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
He's considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: "For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player."
During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi - and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.
His deal runs until 2026 but a host of teams in Saudi Arabia want him.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are closing in on their first summer signing.
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Defender Lloyd Kelly, 25, is due to be announced as a Toon player after his contract at Bournemouth expired.
Howe also wants another centre-back to provide cover before pre-season begins.
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Chelsea have agreed the £42m transfer of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, according to reports.
Italian giants Juventus are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Bayern Munich are eyeing up a summer move for Chelsea's Levi Colwill, according to reports.
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