TAMMY A MAG TARGET
NEWCASTLE LINKED WITH CHELSEA STRIKER WHO WAS A BIG HIT ON LOAN AT BRISTOL CITY
Tammy Abraham has emerged as a potential Newcastle United target – as the Magpies consider a fresh move to re-sign Andros Townsend.
Chelsea are again prepared to loan out Abraham next season, with the newly-promoted Tynesiders reportedly interested in the 19-yearold striker, who scored 26 league and cup goals on loan at Bristol City this season.
Abraham is set to sign a new long-term contract with the Premier League champions before spending another season away from Stamford Bridge.
He did not manage to score against Newcastle in the Robins’ 1-0 home defeat at Ashton Gate, missing out on the return at St James’s. He did, however, hit doubles against Sheffield Wednesday, Reading, Burton Albion, Derby and Wolves.
Newcastle have already completed transfer business with the Blues this summer, signing winger Christian Atsu following a successful loan stint with the black and whites.
Meanwhile, Newcastle tried and failed to re-sign Townsend from Crystal Palace in January’s transfer window.
The winger spent the second half of last season at St James’s Park before moving on in the wake of Newcastle’s relegation.
Palace – who parted company with manager Sam Allardyce this week – do not want to sell the 25-yearold in the summer transfer window.
But the Eagles’ stance could change once a successor to Allardyce is appointed at Selhurst Park.
Townsend has had an operation on his Achilles since the end of the season.
Club doctor Zaf Iqbal said: “Andros had a minor procedure earlier in the week to remove an irritation to the Achilles tendon.
“He had been struggling with it in the latter part of the season.
“And it was then decided to address the issue at the end of season to allow him to return and be ready for the start of pre-season.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala, linked with a move to Newcastle, has spoken about his future.
Asked about coach Pep Guardiola, Mangala said: “I’m fortunate to have spent a month with him, and I can tell you that I have made more progress, especially tactically, in a month with him than in two years at City.
“I want to believe I can convince him. But today I’m on the market.
“There will be offers this summer.”