"Can believe that" - Transfer insider drops intriguing Newcastle claim on £20m target

Newcastle United are ‘probably exciting’ for wantaway Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemka, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 18-year-old only has one year remaining on his current contract and has so far refused to put pen to paper on fresh terms, sparking speculation over his future.

Chukwuemka was left out of Villa’s pre-season tour of Australia, indicating that he is not part of Steven Gerrard’s plans for the upcoming campaign.

“Carney’s yet to sign a contract offer that’s been in place for some time now, so I’ve decided that the best thing for him would be to continue his training programme back at Bodymoor,” Gerrard explained.

And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has since revealed that Villa ‘are now open to selling’ the England Under-19 international if their £20 million asking price is met.

Romano claims that Barcelona are leading the race for Chukwuemka’s signature, while the Daily Mail claim Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in him.

Football Insider have now stated that the teenage talent is demanding £100,000-per-week despite his tender years, though, something which may put off his potential suitors.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Jones said: “I think it makes sense that they would want to know about his situation and whether he’d be interested, I think that there are so many clubs looking at his situation.

“It doesn’t help that Barcelona are the top club interested because at the moment, you just assume that everyone is just going to sign for them.

“But if he doesn’t, then a club like Newcastle, who have got such an ambitious project, is probably exciting for him and might be the platform that he is looking for. So, I can believe that they will be in that