Newcastle United told £40m transfer target is likely to join Chelsea amid ‘even easier’ claim

One Magpies target has been given some advice ahead of the summer transfer window.
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One reported Newcastle United transfer target has been told he still needs to prove himself in the Premier League - but has been described as potentially ‘shrewd business’ for Chelsea.

The Magpies are said to be keen to add to their midfield ranks this summer and have been linked with several players across the Premier League and Europe that would help bring out the best in Bruno Guimaraes next season. The likes of Bournemouth star Jefferson Lerma, Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Sporting CP’s Manuel Ugarte have all been suggested as possible targets as United hierachy look to boost Eddie Howe’s squad ahead of a return to European football next season.

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Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia has also been named as one player that has fallen under the scrutiny of Magpies recruitment staff and he did himself no harm with an impressive display in his side’s recent 2-1 defeat at St James Park. The Saints will spend next season in the Championship after Saturday’s defeat against Fulham confirmed their relegation and Lavia is believed to be one player that could be sold during the close season.

Former Liverpool and England defender Glen Johnson has been impressed with the youngster and he believes another of his former clubs would be conducting ‘shrewd business’ if they were to make a move for the former Manchester City man during the summer.

“He’s looked decent when he’s played and he’s very young. I believe Chelsea are keeping even more of an eye on this move in case Southampton get relegated and they can sign Romeo for less than they’d have expected," said the former Liverpool star, speaking to Betfred ahead of the Saints defeat against Fulham..

"He’s been one of the brightest components of Southampton’s season and if he’s that good, then he won’t want to be playing in the Championship. I believe there would be less need to sign Romeo if Southampton stayed up because the prospect of shrewd business is potentially the most appealing factor to prospective buyers. He still needs to prove himself a bit more, but the fact that Southampton are likely to go down makes it even easier for Chelsea to sign him.”

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