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Newcastle United want either Kieran Tierney or Marc Cucurella on loan
Exclusive: The club are looking to bolster their defensive resources but have to be wary of FFP in making any deals
ByLuke Edwards, NORTHERN FOOTBALL WRITER14 August 2023 • 7:00am
Newcastle United are looking to sign a left back on loan before the close of the transfer window with both Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella of interest to them.
Only one will arrive on Tyneside, but Newcastle have been given reason to believe that both would like to make the move and are looking to progress talks.
Both deals would include either an option or an obligation to buy the player next summer and there is some confidence a breakthrough can be reached with at least one of their Premier League rivals.
Newcastle, in an ideal world, would also like a similar sort of move for a right-sided centre back, but sources have told Telegraph Sport there is not much on offer in the market for this type of deal and they do not want to bring a player in just for the sake of it.
The club would be willing to cover the cost of the player’s wages but have previously found it difficult to deal with clubs who now perceive them to be a rival for a Champions League place. That remains the big stumbling block although, Arsenal in particular, are thought to be very keen to find a move for Tierney.
They would prefer to sell the Scotland international at this stage, but a compromise could be reached that would defer the fee for another 12 months which would help Newcastle navigate their way through FFP concerns.
Given the nature of the deal it could be that it has to wait until closer to deadline day, as Arsenal will still hope to part with the 26-year-old and get the money in now.
Tierney had an excellent start to his career in north London but is no longer the first-choice left back and wants to play regularly. He would compete with Dan Burn and Matt Targett at St James’ Park.
Burn is a specialist centre back who played almost every game at left-back last season and did so again in the opening day victory over Aston Villa
Dealing with Chelsea has been far more difficult for Newcastle in recent times. Chelsea quoted an asking price of more than £50 million when the the club enquired about midfielder Conor Gallagher back in January and rebuffed several other loan offers in the same window.
Marc Cucurella has not lived up to expectations at Stamford Bridge CREDIT: Getty Images/Marc Atkins
But the London club are under pressure to offload players again having spent a British record £115 million on midfielder Moisies Caicedo this week.
Cucurella, 25, only arrived at Stamford Bridge from Brighton for £60 million 12 months ago but failed to impress last season and did not feature in Chelsea’s draw with Liverpool on Sunday.
As with Tierney, Chelsea would prefer to sell the Spain international but Newcastle will offer to take him on loan instead, with a small up fee attached and an option or obligation to buy.
Newcastle have already signed Sandro Tonali (£56 million), Harvey Barnes (£38 million) and Tino Livramento (£32 million) in this window and have only sold Allan Saint Maximin to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia for £25 million. That means their net spend is around £101 million this summer, which is close to their entire summer budget as defined by Financial Fair Play Rules.
Newcastle, who are still looking abroad for possible alternatives if their domestic rivals refuse to reach a compromise, are also looking to loan or sell Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick.
