‘One to watch’ - Fabrizio Romano names Newcastle’s top attacking target as 'loan-to-buy' offer is prepared

In less than a week's time, Newcastle United will kick off the 2024/25 Premier League season with a home test against newly promoted Southampton.

The Magpies are targeting a return to the top four after an avalanche of injury problems last term. While they can also look forward to welcoming back last summer's marquee signing Sandro Tonali after a long-term betting related suspension.

Newcastle have enjoyed a solid pre-season by winning the Sela Cup with victories over Girona and Brest. The campaign was hugely successful and saw the likes of Alexander Isak, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy all get plenty of goals. However, there is still plenty of work to be done in the final few weeks of the window and one of the most pressing issues remains the club’s need for a centre back and a right sided attacker.

Newcastle World understands that progress is being made towards the acquisition of defender Marc Guehi. The Magpies had a second bid in the region of £50m rejected for the Crystal Palace centre back last week, but are expected to return to the table with an improved third bid in the coming days, according to Sky Sports. Crystal Palace have placed a £65m valuation on the England defender and already have a contingency plan in place to move for Maxence Lacroix as a potential replacement if the deal with Newcastle goes through.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s pursuit of a right winger has been much less documented in recent weeks after a failed move for Guehi’s former teammate Michael Olise.The Frenchman, who starred at the 2024 Olympic on home soil, was a target for the St. James’ Park club, according to the Athletic, but eventually opted for a move to link up with Vincent Kompany at Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.

The Magpies also failed to enter the race for Pedro Neto after months of speculation linking the club with a move. In the end, the former Wolves man’s price tag was enough to sway Newcastle away from making an offer, with Chelsea completing a £54m deal.

However, that Blues move could prove to be the catalyst for an alternative Newcastle deal, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian transfer guru described Madueke as ‘one to watch’ following Neto’s arrival and Newcastle’s interest, feeling Chelsea could part with the 22-year-old if a ‘good bid’ arrives from St/ James’ Park.

It remains to be seen if Chelsea would entertain an initial loan with an obligation to buy, as Madueke ended the 2023/24 campaign in good form under former boss Mauricio Pochettino and has continued to impress under new manager Ezo Maresca, bagging three goals and one assist over pre-season.

Romano believes if a deal is to take place then it will follow a similar pattern to the Lewis Hall deal, with the Magpies making a loan offer, with an obligation to buy in 12 months time.

This was used in the Hall deal to alleviate any PSR concerns by avoiding the 30 June deadline. A potential move to Tyneside would see Madueke be reunited with ex-Chelsea star Lewis Hall while also linking up with ex-England U21 teammate Anthony Gordon.