-Newcastle ‘interested’ in Chelsea flop as Howe ‘dreams big’ over Ligue 1 defender

Newcastle United want to take Chelsea flop Timo Werner to St James’ Park this summer, according to reports.

The Magpies have yet to really get going in this transfer market despite making three solid additions in Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Sven Botman.

Newcastle were expected to make waves in the market following their takeover by a Saudi-led consortium last October but their purchases so far have been extremely sensible and measured.
Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes, who both signed in January, are the closest they have come to any marquee signings despite being linked with numerous big names.

But Chelsea striker Werner, despite his poor goalscoring record for the Blues, could certainly fulfill that criteria with some reports suggesting the Geordies want him this summer.

And now Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk has confirmed that Newcastle are ‘interested’ in Werner with the German tweeting ‘true’ in response to speculation.
When asked about his happiness at Chelsea ahead of the forthcoming season, Werner said earlier this month: “I could be happy everywhere.

“The most important thing is that I am happy. I am happy when I play and score goals. That’s the fact. That’s what I should take care of and other things will come.”

On whether he has spoken to the manager, Thomas Tuchel, about his future, Werner added: “The manager always has different ideas, different thoughts and what you need in different games.

“In many games I was not in his thoughts so I try to change that. It is not different to last season, it was the same when Romelu came. We had big, big competition. It’s still the same.

“At a big club like Chelsea you have that competition. In pre-season you can show that you want to play, that you are a guy who wants to be in the starting XI. That’s what I try.”

Newcastle continue to look for another centre-back too and French publication Media Foot claim that the Magpies ‘are positioned’ for Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile this summer.

Eddie Howe is ‘dreaming big’ this summer and Monaco’s €50m valuation of Badiashile should not be a problem for the Premier League club.

Bayer Leverkusen are likely to join Newcastle in the hunt for the France under-21 international – who has also been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea – but Monaco are expecting an ‘exceptional offer’ for him.