Your Newcastle United transfer round-up for Thursday, October 20.
Faves for Chelsea star
Newcastle are favourites to sign Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic, according to Spanish reports. Rumours have circulated for some time that the American wants out of Stamford Bridge amid a lack of game time.
The Magpies were one of several Premier League clubs linked with Pulisic, who has started just two top-flight games all season. However, fresh claims on the continent suggest Newcastle are leading the race to sign the 24-year-old.
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This aligns with GiveMeSport reporter Simon Phillips’ update earlier this month. He said: “I’m told, in the summer, Newcastle were a lot closer to signing Pulisic than Juventus.
“They wanted him on loan but, obviously, Chelsea weren’t going to do that. They only wanted to sell him permanently if they were going to let him go.”
Asllani wants move
Italian outlet Tutto Mercato claim Empoli youngster Kristjan Asllani wants to leave due to a lack of first-team opportunities. The Albanian international is on loan at Inter Milan but has only started two games in Serie A this season.
Summer reports suggested Newcastle were “ready to meet” the 20-year-old’s representatives to discuss a possible move. However, the lure of playing for Italian giants Inter Milan proved too big an opportunity to turn down.
Asllani is out of contract at the end of the campaign and, given his situation, could attract renewed interest from the Magpies. Dan Ashworth has already bolstered the club’s academy with several youth signings since he was appointed sporting director.
Another Inter ace?
A second Italian publication, Calciomercato, reports that Hakan Calhanoglu is wanted by Newcastle and Manchester United. Currently at Inter, the midfielder has played for both Milan clubs and is a seasoned international, with 72 caps for Turkey.
Inter have suffered rocky financial troubles of late and could be forced to sell one of their star assets. Calhanoglu is entering the final 18 months of his contract so now would be the ideal time to cash in to avoid losing him for a cut-price fee - or nothing.
Depth-wise, central midfield is arguably Newcastle’s strongest position so signing the Turk is not a necessity. Calhanoglu is also more of a creative player akin to Bruno Guimaraes, not the combative, holding midfielder the Magpies are missing.
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