Newcastle enter race to sign Josh Acheampong with Chelsea open to a sale

Newcastle United have now stormed into contention to sign an “incredible” player, with Chelsea willing to sanction a summer transfer.

Newcastle’s summer transfer plans taking shape

Eddie Howe has elevated the standards at St. James’ Park, through guiding his Newcastle side to Champions League qualification on two occasions, and lifting the 2025 EFL Cup.

However, the 2025-26 campaign was more reminiscent of the pre-PIF era, with the Magpies stumbling to a 12th-placed finish in the Premier League, after collecting just 49 points.

The manager has suggested fine margins altered the course of the season, saying: “We were seconds away from beating Barcelona at home, which would have been an unbelievable game. It feels like that kind of season for us.

“We were moments away from the season being very, very different. Unfortunately, those things didn’t fall for us and then the perception is very, very different to what it could have been.”

Even so, off the back of a difficult campaign, it is no surprise Howe is looking to reshape his squad this summer, and bringing in a new winger will be on the agenda, following Anthony Gordon’s big-money move to FC Barcelona.

Kieran Trippier is another early departure, with the right-back signing a two-year contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers, having exited St. James’ Park on a free transfer, and the 35-year-old leaving exacerbates the need to sign a new right-back.

Chelsea willing to sell “incredible” star with Newcastle keen

According to a report from Sports Boom, Newcastle have now entered a fierce race to sign Chelsea star Josh Acheampongwith their Premier League rivals prepared to offload the versatile defender for around £25m this summer.

Brentford, Arsenal, Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth could also be set to battle it out for Acheampong, who is capable of playing at both right-back and centre-back, and the Bees are particularly keen to get a deal done.

The Magpies’ interest makes a lot of sense though, given that Trippier’s departure leaves a gap in the squad, and Howe’s defence was leaky at times last season, shipping 55 Premier League goals, which is more than the likes of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

The 20-year-old was in and out of the Chelsea team throughout the 2025-26 campaign, but he put in a very impressive display in a 2-1 victory against Liverpool back in October, and “dominated Isak”, according to journalist Nizaar Kinsella.

Kinsella also lauded the Chelsea youngster as “incredible”, and he is comfortable in possession of the ball, as showcased by the fact he averaged a pass-completion rate of 92.1% in the Premier League.

Fabian Schar recently penned a new one-year deal to extend his stay at St. James’ Park, but with the Swiss defender now 34-years-old, it may be time to start thinking about planning for the future, and Acheampong could be an exciting long-term replacement.

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