Newcastle have started discussions over a possible move for Marcos Alonso, with Chelsea stepping up their interest in Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell.
The Magpies are awaiting confirmation of a takeover by a consortium bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), with the prospective ownership apparently keen to spend in the transfer market.
29-year-old Spain international Alonso appears not to be in Frank Lampard's long-term plans at Stamford Bridge, with the Chelsea manager looking to refresh his side's left flank with a move for Chilwell.
According to the Mirror, Newcastle have sought to take advantage of Marcos Alonso's uncertain future in London by opening talks with Chelsea over a possible move.
The set-piece specialist, who has three years left on his contract, would not come come cheap for Newcastle, with £25m the quoted figure if they are to get their man.
It also has the possibility to polarise the Newcastle support, who booed Alonso throughout their fixture against Chelsea in October on account of the time he spent on loan at Sunderland in 2014.
However, there can be no doubt that Alonso still has much to offer the Premier League - with four goals this season, he is Chelsea's joint-fourth top scorer in the league, while no defender in the division has netted more.
Alonso has been an important part of much of Chelsea's recent success, a key component in Antonio Conte's 2017 Premier League champions, and after a strong 2017/18 campaign he was rewarded for his efforts by being selected in the PFA Team of the Year.
However, Chilwell has been linked with Chelsea since Lampard got the job, with Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico and Porto's Alex Telles also being considered for the role.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are still yet to have the PIF takeover greenlit by the Premier League, with the illegal transmission of beIN Sport's Premier League coverage in Saudi Arabia raising concerns within the league's mandatory owners' and directors' test.
Source : 90min