Chelsea hold further talks with Newcastle over Isak, reluctant Magpies forced to listen due to PSR fears

Chelsea are still interested in a move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, and the Blues made further contact with the Magpies today regarding a switch, according to Sky Sports.

The Swedish forward enjoyed a prolific season, bagging 25 goals despite niggling injury problems.

Newcastle are understood to be reluctant to lose him. However, the Toons are navigating the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). They must make sales before July 1 to avoid being hit by sanctions, putting them in a precarious position.

Despite Newcastle’s desperation, Isak won’t come for cheap. The club values him at well over £100 million and will not do suitors any favours.

Earlier this week, Chelsea made an initial inquiry for Isak, and today’s follow-up suggests a serious interest in acquiring the striker.

With Newcastle desperate to comply with financial regulations, a mammoth offer could force their hand despite wanting to retain Isak.

Chelsea are keen to provide competition for Nicolas Jackson and have held talks for several strikers, including Jhon Duran, Samu Omorodion, and Jonathan David.

Those talks have not yielded anything, and the West Londoners have now turned to Isak.

The Sweden international is miles better than the other options, but one can only wonder how much Chelsea need to spend to get a deal over the line. The Blues also have their PSR concerns after shelling out more than £1 billion over the past two windows.

In other Chelsea transfer news, Gianluca DiMarzio claims AC Milan have approached Chelsea for Carney Chukwuemeka.

This comes after news that Chelsea are trying to hijack Brighton & Hove Albion’s deal to sign Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, whom manager Enzo Maresca is eager to work with again.

Chelsea seem set to continue their bewildering and frustrating scattergun approach to transfer windows under the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital regime.