Chelsea and Newcastle are reportedly set to go head-to-head for attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz as the Spaniard faces an increasingly uncertain future at Real Madrid.
Both sides are on the hunt for additions in attacking midfield, with Newcastle having been interested in England’s James Maddison last summer and remaining keen on the Leicester man, who has 12 months left on his contract in the midlands.
Graham Potter’s side, meanwhile, have agreed a deal to bring attacking midfielder Christopher Nkunku to the club this summer, and may well make the loan move for Joao Felix permanent, but are facing the increasingly likely prospect of losing Mason Mount this summer amid a contract standoff.
Diaz has impressed while on loan at AC Milan, and the club have an option to buy the player for around 19m euros, but according to the Daily Mirror ‘Real Madrid want to recuperate the £23.5m fee they paid City to take him in January 2019′, which could complicate matters.
The reigning Serie A Champions do not want to meet this valuation for the Spaniard, who is not in the plans for current Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti, and this has apparently opened the door for English clubs to enter the bidding, with Newcastle and Chelsea most prominent.
“There is a belief in Spain that if any English side does come to the table, the fee could be as high as £30m”, it is added, which could ultimately see the 23-year-old head back to England this summer.
It remains to be seen whether or not either English side follow up on their initial interest, but with both clubs expected to be busy this summer, Diaz could be one to watch.
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