Transfer Talk: Newcastle plan Chelsea raid for midfield trio

Newcastle are reportedly planning a raid on Chelsea's midfield by targeting Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The Telegraph claim that Ziyech is on the chopping block as the West London club have to cut two non-homegrown players from their Champions League squad in order to register their new arrivals.

He has been subject to transfer speculation already this winter but the Tyneside club are reportedly more interested in a central midfielder due to Bruno Guimaraes' injury. 

The Blues have been spending a significant amount of money in recent months and will likely have to cash in on some of their stars if they are to maintain the financial fair play regulations and moderate their squad numbers.

Both Gallagher and Loftus-Cheek have struggled for minutes under Graham Potter this season — the pair have completed 90 minutes a combined eight times in 2022-23.

Either one of the England internationals would likely see an increase in game time at Newcastle, especially if their Brazilian superstar is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Potter is said to be happy for Ziyech to leave in either January or the summer but is more hesitant to let either Gallagher or Loftus-Cheek depart Stamford Bridge.

The potential trimming of the Chelsea squad would perhaps make it easier for the Toon to manufacture a deal as neither of the midfielders has a lengthy period left on their contract.

In other news

Reports from The Times suggest that Arsenal have made West Ham midfielder Declan Rice their top target for the summer as they look to strengthen their midfield. 

Italian sources have suggested that Manchester United are in talks with Inter Milan over a deal for Netherlands full-back Denzel Dumfries.

Tottenham are set to continue discussions with Sporting Lisbon over a transfer for right-back Pedro Porro, according to 90Min.