Newcastle United consider Chelsea star as Moussa Diaby alternative

Newcastle United are reportedly considering a move for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi

The Magpies still remain keen on securing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby - but the Bundesliga club have stated their intention to hold out for a substantial fee for one of their prized assets.

The France international is said to be receptive to holding talks over a move to Tyneside but as things stand the Magpies would have to pay a club record fee to secure his services.

United’s interest in a deal remains alive, but there are also believed to be drawing up a list of possible alternatives as Eddie Howe looks to add further quality to his options at the top end of the pitch.

Watford winger Ismaila Sarr remains of interest following the Hornets relegation from the Premier League and Sky Sports have reported the Magpies have made contact with Everton over a possible move for Anthony Gordon.

Barcelona star Memphis Depay and PSV Eindhoven’s England Under-21 international Noni Madueke have also been linked with a move to St James Park in recent weeks.

Hudson-Odoi is now reportedly under consideration according to 90Min as the three-time capped England international continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea.

The likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich were linked with the winger as he broke into the Chelsea first-team under Antonio Conte during the 2017/18 season.

The winger made 22 starts in all competitions for the Blues last year but only half of those came in the Premier League before his season was brought to a premature end by an achilles tendon issue.

In the aftermath of the Blues’ Club World Cup win last season, Hudson-Odoi addressed his decision to remain at Stamford Bridge despite interest from elsewhere during the previous summer.

He said: “Big games, big trophies, you want to win as much as possible with a club like this. Our aim is always to win games and win as many as possible.

“When we get the opportunity we keep pushing.

“If I went out in the summer I wouldn’t get opportunities to play like this and enjoy the games and win trophies. So I’m really delighted that I stayed and obviously I got the opportunity to play.”

Hudson-Odoi could find his attempts to find regular first-team football with Chelsea further hampered if the Blues are successful in their attempts to complete a deal for Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling.

Members of United’s recruitment staff are believed to rate the winger highly and would be prepared to make a move if Bayer Leverkusen’s demands for Diaby remain prohibitive.