Chelsea are keeping close tabs on Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali with a view to a summer move, reports Football Insider.
Tonali has established himself as a key man for the Magpies following his 2023 arrival from Italian giants AC Milan.
However, his start to life at St. James’ Park was hampered by a 10-month ban for breaching Italian betting regulations.
Having missed the bulk of the 2023/24 season, and Euro 2024, Tonali returned to Newcastle action in August 2024 and has gone on to become a mainstay for Eddie Howe’s side.
Chelsea keen to reinforce midfield in 2026
And Chelsea have since been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old as they look to bolster in the middle of the park.
The Blues have earmarked central midfield as a priority area this year, though they are unlikely to dip into the market this month.
Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Kobbie Mainoo of Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, respectively, have all been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Newcastle would be reluctant to cash in on Tonali, who is contracted to the 2025 EFL Cup winners until 2029.
Maresca replacement remains the priority for the Blues
The priority for Chelsea, however, is to bring in a replacement for Enzo Maresca following his New Year’s Day departure.
The Italian spectacularly left the west London side at the start of the year just 18 months after his appointment.
Chelsea are expected to appoint Liam Rosenior as Maresca’s replacement before long, with the 41-year-old the preferred choice for the defending UEFA Conference League champions.
Rosenior oversaw what could prove to be his final game as Strasbourg boss on Saturday evening as the French side played out a 1-1 draw with Nice, a result that extended their Ligue 1 winless run to five matches.
Chelsea, meanwhile, take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening, with Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane taking interim charge of the Blues until a Maresca replacement can be appointed.
The 2025 Club World Cup winners are currently on a run of one win in their last seven in the league, a streak that has seen the Blues drop out of the top four.
