Newcastle eyeing Chelsea duo? - Why Nkunku and Chalobah could be surprise targets

Newcastle United will be busy working in the background on potential signings - they have to be after the summer we've had so far.

We've lost out on Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to Chelsea, Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and it looks increasingly likely that long-term target James Trafford could end up at Man City despite Newcastle's 12-month pursuit.

Two areas we simply must address lie at centre-back and in attack. A right-sided defender able to offer pace and a younger alternative to Fabian Schar is needed, while a versatile forward able to complement Alexander Isak and replace Callum Wilson's spot in the squad is also essential as we head into a busy 2025/26 season in need of added depth and quality.

Market opportunities must be seriously considered now plan A, B and C appear to have gone elsewhere in certain departments (strikers) and there could be two at Chelsea for Newcastle to pursue.

They are Christopher Nkunku and Trevoh Chalobah.

Nkunku's £52m move has not gone to plan and he's set to depart this summer, but there is a quality player in there, highlighted by his 17 goal involvements in 31 Champions League games and 58 goals across his last two seasons with RB Leipzig.

His versatility could appeal massively - he can play anywhere across the front or in that No. 10 role - and he's a year younger than heavily linked Yoane Wissa at 27.

The big obstacle may be his wages and the recent dip that's seen his stock fall at Chelsea, but that in itself could represent an opportunity, as The Athletic report that he's free to leave for just over £40m.

A Chelsea insider has tipped Newcastle to make a move today and we can't help but wonder if it's something the club are looking at given his versatility, availability, European pedigree and undoubted quality when at his best.

Then there is Chalobah, who has admirers on Tyneside and certainly ticks boxes as a Premier League proven centre-back with athleticism, the ability to play in a few positions and good character, as shown by his battle through adversity at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old has battled his way back into Enzo Maresca's plans and impressed at the Club World Cup, yet The Athletic report that Chelsea will 'listen to offers' for the 6ft 4' defender, much to the dismay of many Blues fans.

Chalobah is understood to want assurances over his playing time and is likely to drop behind fit-again Wesley Fofana in the pecking order, reports Simon Johnson (The Athletic's Chelsea correspondent).

Again, is this an opportunity Newcastle could pounce on? If Marc Guehi is no longer and option and Atalanta are demanding mega money to sell Giorgio Scalvini so soon after recent injuries, I would be surprised if we're not keeping a close eye on Chalobah's situation.

We can't expect huge favours from Chelsea, but they have an inflated squad, unhappy players demanding game time they can't promise, a gigantic wage bill and more than likely a need to sell as they now consider yet another big money move; this time for RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons.

Some won't like the idea of signing Chelsea's squad men, but it didn't work out badly with Lewis Hall..