Tottenham are able to rival Newcastle United for the signing of Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson, based on reports.
But Chelsea icon Frank Lebouef has warned the Magpies against signing the £80million-rated striker as they weigh-up potential replacements for Alexander Isak.
It’s been a nightmare summer for Newcastle who’ve missed out on quite a few transfer targets and now face the prospect of losing talisman Isak who wants to hitch Liverpool.
The Reds’ opening offer of £110m was rejected however the Swede has been ordered to coach away from the first-team while Eddie Howe looks for suitable striker who could fill his boots.
The Tyneside club had hoped to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, however the Slovenian has opted to hitch Manchester United as a substitute in a deal value as much as £74m.
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Jackson’s future at Stamford Bridge appears bleak after the club signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro over the summer, with the brand new centre-forwards impressing in the course of the Club World Cup triumph.
The Senegal international has 30 goals and 12 assists in 81 appearances since joining the Blues from Villarreal but has come under much criticism for an absence of clinicalness, while two red cards in his last five games haven’t helped his cause.
Several clubs across Europe are enthusiastic about the 24-year-old including Newcastle, AC Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich, with Tottenham now joining the combination.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Spurs have made enquiries to Chelsea but will only make a move if struggling forward Richarlison is sold.
The Blues value Jackson at around £80m – greater than double what they paid for him two years ago – but Lebouef doesn’t imagine any ‘serious club’ would actually consider going for the transfer.
‘I wish for any players to rebound from a foul season, perhaps two bad seasons,’ the World Cup winning defender told ESPN.
‘And I actually want to Nicolas Jackson finds a club and shows us that we shouldn’t be sceptical because that guy is an incredible striker. But so far as we have now known and seen his performances, I’m sorry, I even have doubts.
‘And if I hear that a club can be able to pay £80million to get Nicolas Jackson, I’m sorry, I even have doubts concerning the seriousness of that club.
‘I don’t think he’s going to fill the hopes that the Geordies have for this season within the Champions League. And I even have big doubts about his potential to make people forget Isak if Isak has to go. I used to be expecting any person else.’
Also on Newcastle’s striker shortlist are Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda.
All involved will need to get their transfer business done as quickly as possible, with the brand new Premier League season kicking-off next weekend, with the Magpies travelling to Villa on August 16 for his or her opening game.
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