Surprise as Newcastle identify Chelsea man as transfer target – Magpies see him as ‘ideal’ player for Howe

Newcastle United are in the picture to sign Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, according to Belgium’s Voetbalkrant.

The striker has been on loan at AS Roma since the last window and has enjoyed a good start under José Mourinho, managing nine goals and an assist from 15 games. The Serie A side want to make his stay permanent after this season but aren’t ‘financially strong’ enough to easily meet the demand set by the Blues.

It’s claimed Chelsea want €38m for the player and will ‘not deviate’ from this figure. The figure quoted may not be an issue for Newcastle, who are named as a surprise contender to sign Lukaku.

Voetbalkrant state the Magpies see the Belgium international as an ‘ideal’ candidate, to lead their attack under Eddie Howe.

A deal remains difficult to carry out because the 30-year-old has doubts about returning to the Premier League, where he had spells at Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Manchester United in the past.

A move to Saudi Arabia could be an option for Lukaku next summer. Last week, the same outlet had stated the Tyneside club ‘dream’ of signing the Belgian.