Moukoko is out of contract at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)
Newcastle United have made a substantial offer to sign Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko.
The 18-year-old striker has entered the final six months of his current deal with the Bundesliga side with Chelsea and Barcelona among the clubs interested in signing the Germany international.
Dortmund are keen to tie him down to a new contract but those hopes have been dealt a blow with Newcastle entering the fray.
With significant financial backing, the Magpies have made a ‘verbal approach’ to sign Moukoko, according to the Evening Standard, offering him a deal worth £150,000-a-week to join the club on a free transfer when his current contract expires at the end of the season.
Saudi-backed Newcastle are said to be confident of beating Chelsea to the signing.
Manchester United and Liverpool have also been credited with interest in the youngster who has scored six times in 22 appearances this term, just 10 of those starting appearances.
Having lost just one game this season, Eddie Howe’s side are firmly in the race for Champions League qualification, currently sat in third place and nine points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool have also held interest (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea meanwhile are on the brink of signing Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid until the end of the season.
United and Arsenal also held talks over a deal for the 23-year-old but the Blues have agreed to pay a £9million loan fee and cover the forward’s salary, thought to be around £250,000-per-week, for the duration of his stay in west London.
Felix was spotted leaving Atletico’s training complex by El Chiringuito TV’s cameras on Tuesday morning and will now board a flight to London.
He will need to undergo a medical and put to paper before the deal can be rubber-stamped but it is unlikely he will be registered in time to face Fulham on Thursday evening.
Chelsea are also interested in signing a more traditional centre forward this month in Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram.
The France international has entered the final six months of his contract with the German side and is reportedly available for £10million this month.
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Newcastle have held talks over a summer move.
