Newcastle United target £15m Dan Ashworth signing in cut-price Premier League deal

Newcastle United are reportedly considering a move for Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella as they look to strengthen their defensive options this summer.

The once-capped Spain international already has a known admirer within the Magpies hierarchy after United technical director played an integral role in luring the then-Getafe defender to the Premier League during his time at Brighton and Hove Albion.

After being impressed with his energy and consistency with the La Liga club, Ashworth was believed to be instrumental is securing a £15.4m move to take Cucurella to the Amex Stadium. However, the Spaniard would only remain on the south coast for one season after his form for the Seagulls earned him a surprise £55m move to Chelsea as he followed former Brighton manager Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge.

Cucurella has endured a difficult time in West London but still made 26 in all competitions as the Blues put in an underwhelming season under Potter and his successor Frank Lampard. The 24-year-old will hope to improve under the watch of new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino - but the Mirror have now suggested he could be allowed to leave the club this summer if a suitable offer is received.

The report has stated Newcastle have ‘added Cucurella to their list of summer transfer targets’ and believe Chelsea would accept a significantly lower fee than the one they paid for the Spaniard last summer. A £30m deal has been suggested as the Magpies consider an alternative option to their preferred transfer target at left-back, Arsenal star Kieran Tierney.

Newcastle are also believed to have watched the likes of Internazionale defender Federico Dimarco, Bayer Leverkusen’s Mitchel Bakker and Monza full-back Carlos Augusto as they look to strenghten Eddie Howe’s squad ahead of their return to the Champions League during the upcoming season.