Newcastle have ramped up their interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson as they field potential options to replace Alexander Isak this summer, GB News can reveal.
The Magpies were rocked by Isak's request to explore a possible exit from St. James' Park this week.
Isak refused to jet off with Newcastle on their pre-season tour of Asia and missed their pre-season friendly against Celtic as well.
With Newcastle facing the prospect of losing their talismanic striker, they are exploring potential replacements in the transfer market.
PA
|Nicolas Jackson has been heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea
GB News can reveal that one option that has propelled up the list is Chelsea star Jackson, who has plenty of attention in his services this summer.
Manchester United are pondering a move for the Senegal international while AC Milan are also reported to be interested.
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However, Newcastle have ramped up their interest ahead of United, also down to the fact that the Red Devils have signed Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for around £70million.
There had been reports that Chelsea would only accept bids north of £80million but GB News understands that offers of around £60-65million could be considered.
The Blues find themselves in a race to sign Dutch pairing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and Jorrel Hato from Ajax.
Chelsea have already spent over £150million this summer on players including Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens.
Newcastle have not made a decision on whether to pursue Jackson and consider keeping hold of Isak their priority.
The Sweden international has not put a transfer request in and is contracted until the summer of 2028, giving the north-east club confidence that they can retain the forward.
However, the fact that Isak has refused to travel with the Geordies across Asia for their pre-season tour speaks volumes.
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PA
|Alexander Isak is exploring his options as he ponders a departure from Newcastle
Liverpool are the most interested in Isak, despite already reaching an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike for a fee of around £80million.
Newcastle had also been interested in the Frenchman but pulled out when the Reds moved past them in negotiations.
Liverpool are keen to sign both Isak and Ekitike together with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez expected to leave.
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|Eddie Howe has had a horror summer in the transfer window
Newcastle have had a tough time in the summer transfer window so far, missing out on several targets.
As well as Ekitike, the Magpies failed in a bid for Pedro, who joined Chelsea and helped them on their way to Club World Cup success.
Cunha and Mbeumo were also linked, though both have since joined United, while a bid for Brentford star Yoane Wissa was turned down.