Newcastle keen on signing two players from Chelsea, but wage demands putting them off – journalist

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Although Newcastle United hold an interest in Chelsea duo Hakim Ziyech and Jorginho, the club have concerns over their wages.

That’s according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking on ‘The Done Deal Show’ on The Football Terrace’s YouTube channel.

“Jorginho is probably the one that Chelsea feel is most likely of those three names to exit [out of Mount and Kante],” Jacobs said.

“There is still some interest from Juventus and Newcastle as well are looking to some extent.

“With Jorginho, much like Ziyech, the concern for Newcastle is around their wages.

“Therein lies the challenge for Newcastle because until they get Champions League football, they don’t necessarily want to bring in a name who is on sky high wages; first of all because it sets a bad precedent, and second of all, because it can rock the dressing room a little bit.

“Imagine if everyone who has got Newcastle so far, sees mid-season players like Jorginho or Ziyech come in and they are on £60,000-a-week more than everyone else in the Newcastle dressing room.

“Then every single player will be asking for a ratioed percentage increase to get to a parity of that. It can feel counterproductive.”

Newcastle eyeing both Jorginho and Ziyech

At 31-years-old, Jorginho doesn’t seem like a player Eddie Howe would add to his squad, especially when the club have turned their attention to talented youngsters looking to burst through.

This could be the same for Ziyech, but he is two-years younger, so this remains a more realistic possibility.

Having shone for Morocco at the World Cup, the attacker has demonstrated he still has the ability to perform at the top level.

Ziyech has started just two Premier League matches this season, so it would be no surprise to see him move elsewhere in search of regular first-team football.

Newcastle have been linked with a number of right-wingers in recent months, so interest in the Moroccan makes perfect sense.

However, Ziyech reportedly earns £100,000-a-week, and he would likely demand more to make the switch.

Therefore, this may not be the right move for the Magpies to make.