Newcastle have been granted permission to speak to Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham over a summer transfer, according to The Telegraph.
The newspaper claim that both the north-east giants and fellow top-flight new boys Brighton are set to open negotiations with the 19-year-old after the Premier League champions gave the green light to a potential loan deal.
It is reported that Brighton are the side leading the race for his signature, despite Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez moving quickly to secure the forward’s services.
Abraham had a stunning 2016-17 campaign, as he ripped up the Championship while on loan at Bristol City from Chelsea.
He scored 26 goals and supplied four assists from his 48 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell last season, and is set to head out on loan again next term.
Chelsea regard the teenage goalscorer as a vital long-term asset, and are therefore only willing to let him leave on loan this summer.
The Telegraph report the Londoners are planning to offer him a new long-term deal, but want him to further develop as a player in the Premier League before being integrated into the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle are in the hunt for new additions this summer, after Benitez was given the much-needed backing of owner Mike Ashley in the transfer market.
A new striker appears to be one of the items on the agenda for the newly-promoted side, with Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy the three goalscorers currently on the books.