Chelsea 'hold conversations' over blockbuster Alexander Isak deal | OneFootball

Chelsea want to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer, according to reports, and have held talks to that end.

Isak scored 21 Premier League goals for Newcastle last season as they narrowly missed out on a return to European competition, five months after a first Champions League voyage in 20 years ended with group stage elimination.

The 24-year-old's impressive goal return built on a promising but injury-ravaged first season at St James' Park which saw him restricted to just 22 Premier League appearances and a further five in all competitions.

With his stock at an all-time high, Isak is widely regarded as one of world's football best strikers, and the Sweden international has previously been linked with big-money moves to Arsenal and Barcelona.

Mail Sport report that initial conversations have taken place between Chelsea and Newcastle over a potential summer deal, with the Blues indicating their desire to agree terms.

It's thought that Chelsea would have to fork out in excess of the club-record £115m fee paid for defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo last summer, marking a sizeable profit on the £63m Newcastle paid Real Sociedad to land Isak in August 2022.

Isak and Bruno Guimarares are two of Newcastle's most valuable assets / OLI SCARFF/GettyImages

Newcastle would prefer to keep Isak - new contract talks have even been suggested - but the club have made it known that every player has their price, particularly with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules looming large in regards to spending.

Chelsea's desire to add a leading centre forward to their ranks, in addition to signing some of the world's best young players, has been well documented. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been the club's primary target for the best part of 18 months, but with a deal looking difficult to agree, other names have come into the picture: Benjamin Sesko, Jhon Duran, Samu Omorodion, Dominic Solanke and Jonathan David five to have been linked of late.

A deal for young Barcelona striker Marc Guiu is also nearing completion, adding the 18-year-old's name to an ever-extending list of acquisitions in the Todd Boehly/BlueCo era.

Under Enzo Maresca, a stylistic change is likely from the ill-fated Mauricio Pochettino era, and a number of outgoings are also expected as Chelsea look to re-establish themselves as one of the Premier League's elite. Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah are two homegrown prospects who could leave Stamford Bridge this summer - their departures for pure profit could have a significant impact on the Blues' own ability to meet PSR regulations.