Timo up for Toon time-out
NEWCASTLE are in talks with Chelsea over a loan deal for Timo Werner, who has also been linked with a return to RB Leipzig.
If the German international is allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on a temporary arrangement it will mean, with Romelu Lukaku shunted out to Inter Milan in similar circumstances, Chelsea will have £145million of striking talent out on loan.
Werner is desperate to be a success in the Premier League and that has given Newcastle hope that they could take the forward, 26, on loan – although it is believed Chelsea will insist on a clause that the deal will be made permanent at the end of the season.
The player’s former club RB Leipzig, where he scored 34 goals in his final 45 games there, have also expressed a willingness to take him back to the Bundesliga.
Neither Newcastle nor RB Leipzig is willing to match his wages – believed to be around £270,000 a week – so he will either have to take a big cut or persuade Chelsea to keep paying a large chunk.
Werner is still popular with Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and the fans, despite gaining a reputation for missing a glut of chances.
But he feels a change of club could also produce a change of luck in front of goal, which has alerted Newcastle.
Manager Eddie Howe has had a £40m bid for Leicester midfielder James Maddison rejected and Toon were also knocked back after enquiring about Foxes forward Harvey Barnes. EVERTON are still in the hunt to re-sign midfielder Idrissa Gueye from Paris St-Germain where he is no longer reqiured.