Newcastle United eye former Chelsea striker as Magpies are tipped to outbid Real Madrid for highly-rated defender

Newcastle United have been linked with a move for former Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore.
Lyon's Burkinabe forward  Bertrand Traore (3L) scores a goal during the French L1 football match between Lyon (OL) and Strasbourg (RCSA) on February 16, 2020 at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu.Lyon's Burkinabe forward  Bertrand Traore (3L) scores a goal during the French L1 football match between Lyon (OL) and Strasbourg (RCSA) on February 16, 2020 at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu.
Lyon's Burkinabe forward Bertrand Traore (3L) scores a goal during the French L1 football match between Lyon (OL) and Strasbourg (RCSA) on February 16, 2020 at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu.

The 24-year-old Burkino Faso international has been at Lyon for three years, following his Stamford Bridge exit.

Traore, capped 54 times by his country after making his debut at just 15, previously had loan spells with Vitesse Arnhem and Ajax.

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And according to Foot Mercato, Traore is on the radar of the Magpies post-Saudi takeover.

Meanwhile reports in Italy suggest Newcastle could make a real play for highly-rated Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly when the transfer window reopens – leaving European giants Real Madrid in their wake.

According to Italian journalist Fabio Santini, the Magpies, through representatives, have promised the Neapolitan hierarchy they will outbid all comers for the Senegal international.

"Newcastle have told Napoli they will offer £10m more than Real,” he said.

"Newcastle made a clear speech to Aurelio De Laurentiis... the club is willing to improve Real Madrid’s offer for Koulibaly."