Newcastle now only want £30m target on loan so Howe can buy £60m star

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Newcastle United are only interested in signing Armando Broja of Chelsea on loan this year to keep funds free for Eddie Howe to also buy Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.

That’s according to The Northern Echo, who report the Toon are eager to see both of Broja and Diaby join. Howe is keen to refresh the St James’ Park offensive line over the summer, with both featuring prominently in internal debates after Hugo Ekitike’s move fell through.

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Stade de Reims had agreed to sell Ekitike to Newcastle for an upfront £12m, rising to £26m with add-ons, per The Telegraph. But the Talking Transfers Podcast report United felt they had to back away over the fees that his agent demanded after offering to treble his salary.

Newcastle interested in Armando Broja on loan so Toon can buy Moussa Diaby

Broja is now Newcastle’s main striker target with Ekitike off the board as Howe focuses on a deal with Chelsea. But the Toon hope the Blues will let the Albania international move to Tyneside on loan for the upcoming season, while obtaining an option to buy him next year.

Howe only wants to hire Broja for a term right now as the Magpies believe it would let the club also add Diaby. Newcastle have a long-standing interest in the Bayer Leverkusen star, however his Bundesliga outfit are demanding £60m. A fee that the Toon feel is ridiculous.

Yet some within the St James’ hierarchy have a growing sense that Die Werkself will soon warm to negotiate terms. Thus, Newcastle hope to keep funds to hand so Howe could buy Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen alongside the club’s interest in a deal with Chelsea for Broja.

What’s more, iNews claim Broja is open to joining Newcastle against interest from Everton and West Ham United. Ora News also note the 20-year-old – who struck nine goals on loan at Southampton – has told the Blues that he wants to leave if not in Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Both Everton and West Ham have informed Chelsea of their interest in Broja, per the Daily Mail. But Tuchel intends to wait until after the Stamford Bridge natives’ pre-season games before deciding on the £30m forward’s future, having then had a look at him first-hand.