Christian Pulisic may prefer a loan move to Manchester United, but Newcastle have potentially received a boost in their bid to sign the American.
The 23-year-old looks likely to leave Chelsea before the end of the transfer window, with interest mounting in the USA international.
He is one of four Chelsea players Newcastle have asked about, alongside Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Getting Pulisic would be the pick of the bunch. He’s the kind of player who could transform the Magpies on and off the pitch, and will have a point to prove heading into the World Cup.
However, an issue emerged on Wednesday.
Manchester United enter Pulisic race
The Athletic have claimed that Manchester United are interested in taking the Chelsea winger on loan. They also add that Old Trafford is Pulisic’s preferred destination.
That was bad news for Toon fans, who were hoping to see the ‘super exciting‘ winger at St James’ Park this season.
We wrote yesterday that a move to Man United would be a mistake for Pulisic, and that he should opt to go to Newcastle instead.
However, latest developments suggest Erik ten Hag might not be able to sign the £58million man after all.
Boost for Newcastle
According to BBC Sport, Chelsea do not intend on loaning Pulisic to Manchester United. That’s because they don’t want to let him temporarily join a ‘traditional rival’.
That’s a blow to their bid, despite the fact the player is reportedly keen on a move. But while Man United look set to miss out, it could leave the door wide open for Newcastle.
If he wants to stay in the Premier League then where better than Newcastle? He isn’t going to join any of the elite clubs given Chelsea’s reluctance to deal with a ‘traditional rival’.
A move to Tyneside would guarantee him first-team football, and give him the chance to build up some momentum heading into the World Cup.
St James’ Park is also the place that Pulisic could truly arrive as a Premier League star. While we’ve seen moments of brilliance, it hasn’t quite happened yet for him in a Chelsea shirt. There are multiple reasons why – injuries, tactics, new signings.
But his role at Newcastle would be straightforward. Play on the wing for Eddie Howe, create and score goals in front of a crowd that will back you all the way if you give everything in return.
Chelsea not wanting to loan Pulisic to Man United is a real boost, as a move to Old Trafford suddenly felt like a real possibility.
But that appears to be off the table for now, meaning Newcastle need to step forward and do what they can to get Pulisic in a black and white shirt.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
