Chelsea have expressed an interest in Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
But the Blues know they face a difficult fight to prize the Brazilian away from St James’ Park.
Guimaraes has starred for Newcastle since his £40million move from Lyon in January and this season he has played a key role in helping the Magpies charge into the top four.
Real Madrid are also eyeing a move for the 24-year-old but he has four years left on his contract at Newcastle and their super-wealthy Saudi owners are unlikely to let him leave.
Chelsea and Real will be both be aware Newcastle are ready to sit down with Guimaraes over a new contract and an increased £200,000-a-week deal.
New Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake have a long-standing relationship with Newcastle’s owners and will tread carefully and respectfully over any possible move.
They enquired about Guimaraes after hearing Real Madrid could move to persuade the Brazil international to make a high-profile switch to the Bernabeu.
Chelsea’s interest comes in the knowledge they will need to sign new midfielders in the near future, with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho out of contract at the end of the season.
The club has begun talks with both players over new deals but are yet to reach an agreement with either of the established midfielders.
Furthermore, Denis Zakaria could still opt to terminate his season-long loan deal in January after failing to make a single appearance since joining from Juventus in the summer.
His exit would make space in the squad, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, West Ham’s Declan Rice, Ajax’s Edson Alvarez, PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia among their possible targets.
