Chelsea could now let 17-goal striker leave the club as discussions for a 'record signing' continue

Chelsea have shown interest in signing Newcastle striker Alexandre Isak and are reportedly happy to include Nicolas Jackson, who was signed last summer and scored 17 goals for the club.

Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 on a long-term deal understood to be worth about £63 million, a club-record deal for Newcastle. Since then, he has been the main man and helped them qualify for the Champions League. Last season, he suffered injuries but still managed to score 25 times as they narrowly missed out on European football entirely. When others have shrunk due to high standards and suddenly having to compete, Isak has thrived and taken it all in his stride.

The Sun reports that Newcastle value him at £100 million, with Chelsea showing a willingness to include striker Jackson in the deal if it were to drive down the price.

Senegal international, Jackson endured a turbulent first season at Stamford Bridge but ended the campaign on a high, scoring four goals in his last five games as Chelsea rallied from 11th to finish sixth in the league.

That was not enough to keep manager Mauricio Pochettino in the job, though, as the Argentinian manager left the club after an end-of-the-season review.

Chelsea are also looking to sell Conor Gallagher this summer, with the English midfielder being valued at £50 million. Chelsea have made it clear they value him but are willing to balance the books, having already confirmed the signing of Omari Kellyman and being linked to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pochettino, will begin work on Monday, with players expected to come in by the close of the week to begin pre-season. The likes of Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, and Carney Chukwuemeka, who were held back by injury, are expected to be among the first players to arrive back at the club’s training base in Surrey.