Three Chelsea players Newcastle should demand plus cash for Jamaal Lascelles

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Chelsea want Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles.

Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles has emerged as a transfer target for Chelsea, The Sun reported last week.

The Magpies will almost certainly want to keep hold of their captain, but the reported £18 million fee discussed could be tempting – if they can manage to land a Chelsea player or two into the deal as well.

Chelsea’s bloated squad means there are players surplus to requirements who they could target – in addition to current Blues loanee Christian Atsu, who they hope to sign permanently already.

Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring their first goal with Jamaal Lascelles

Here is a look at three Chelsea players who Newcastle could push for…

Nathan Ake

Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore in action with Watford’s Nathan Ake

Nathan Ake made his Chelsea first team debut under Rafa Benitez, but has been denied a run in the first team since under successive managers.

After an impressive loan spell at Watford last season, he is currently at Bournemouth for the season.

The Dutchman needs to find a permanent home, and could do so under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle. With consecutive seasons in the Premier League under his belt, he may have a chance to really kick on for the Toon next season.

Branislav Ivanovic

Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in action with Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi

Lascelles’ arrival at Chelsea would mean the Blues would have to shed a defender or two, and Ivanovic is a player who could be surplus to requirements.

The Champions League winner has an eye for goal, and while his performances have dipped over the past two seasons, his experience and versatility could be useful for Newcastle to draw on, while Benitez also has experience of working with him in the past.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus Cheek in action with Leicester’s N’Golo Kante

Potentially the best deal of the lot if Newcastle can pull it off, they would be trading a promising defender for a similarly highly rated central midfielder.

Loftus-Cheek has made 24 first team appearances for Chelsea already, but the 19-year-old is yet to really put his stamp on the team.

If Antonio Conte is not convinced over the rest of this season, then it could make him an attainable target for Newcastle, where he could flourish under Benitez’s tutelage.