Newcastle have now 'held talks' with long-term attacking target as contract talks stall
As Newcastle United's right-wing search continues the Magpies have finally spoken to a player who has been on their radar since last summer.
Newcastle have long held an interest in Italy international Federico Chiesa and were keen to land the Juventus man last summer before he eventually agreed a new two-year deal with the Turin club.
One year later and Chiesa is in a similar situation after talks over a new deal have stalled and Juventus have to make their mind up whether to cash in on him this summer while he's still got a year left on his contract.
This has left the door open for Newcastle and other clubs to hold talks with Chiesa's representatives.
Chisea is open to a move to the Premier League
HITC reports that Chiesa is open to a move to the Premier League which has naturally alerted Newcastle as well as Chelsea and Tottenham (of course). Arsenal and Liverpool are also said to be interested.
Newcastle's priority this summer is signing someone capable of causing teams some damage down the right and Chiesa can certainly do that.
However, coming from Juventus, Chiesa will be used to playing in Europe and that's not something Newcastle can offer him next season that other interested Premier League sides can.
Chiesa has interest from around Europe
It's not just Premier League sides that Newcastle have to compete with as teams from La Liga and Ligue 1 are interested, but HITC says it's closer to home where the biggest competition lies with Roma and Napoli very keen.
It's admirable that Newcastle are still plugging away at this one, but in all honesty, we just don't see him ending up at Newcastle unless Paul Mitchell has the ultimate sales pitch to sell the club to prospective players.
Newcastle have an extensive list of right-wingers to work through, some more realistic than others, and we'd say Chiesa falls into the 'unrealistic' category.
