Newcastle ‘make new move’ to seal £51m signing Klopp would loved to have made

Newcastle United have reportedly made ‘contact’ with Juventus about the possibility of signing Federico Chiesa. The Italy international has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs including Liverpool with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said to be a great admirer of the player.

According to La Republicca, Newcastle have enquired about Chiesa’s availability and are expected to lodge an official bid in the coming days. Chiesa has fallen out of favour with manager Massimiliano Allegri and has been transfer listed this summer.

Reports in Italy earlier this year claimed that Klopp ‘hugely respects’ Chiesa while there have been links to him to joining Liverpool this summer.

Juventus want a reported fee in the region of £51million (60m euros) for the 25-year-old, who only joined the Italian giants on a permanent deal last season after spending two seasons on loan at the Allianz Arena from Fiorentina.

Chiesa was a regular feature in the 2020-2021 Serie A campaign, making 30 appearances, but his minutes have dwindled since returning from a cruciate ligament rupture sustained in January of last year.

He made just 21 appearances last season, most of which came from the bench. Newcastle are hoping to bring Chiesa in as a replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin, who has been heavily linked with a move away from St James’ Park this summer.

Another option is Leicester’s Harvey Barnes. Given that he is available for half the price of Chiesa (£25m) and has a much better injury record, it is thought that the Englishman is at the top of Eddie Howe’s shortlist.

When asked specifically about Barnes’ future at the King Power Stadium during his first press conference as manager of the Foxes, Enzo Maresca gave a very coy answer: “The market is open, anything can happen. We can bring in players, but at the same time, we can sell players,” he said.

The Magpies have already made one marquee signing this window with the acquisition of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan for £55m. But they are expected to do more business before the window shuts on September 1.

Howe is said to be keeping tabs on Southampton full-back Tino Livramento and Monaco centre-half Axel Disasi as he looks to bolster his already superb defensive line ahead of the new season.