Liam delap transfer twist as newcastle united in barcelona battle

There are just a few days remaining before the first mini transfer window of the summer opens, with Newcastle United looking to be active. The club World Cup means that the window will open

on Sunday, June 1, and will close again on Tuesday, June 10. It will then re-open six days later on June 16, and will remain open until the deadline at 7pm on September 1. Newcastle

confirmed their place in the Champions League next season at the weekend, and preparations for the new campaign will now be well underway. Eddie Howe will look to build a squad to be able to

cope with the demands of European football alongside the Premier League. The club has already been linked with several players. With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest

stories doing the rounds at St James’ Park. LIAM DELAP BLOW Newcastle have been overtaken by Chelsea in the transfer race for Liam Delap, according to the radio station talkSPORT. The report

says that Chelsea are closing in on a deal for the Ipswich Town striker, who has given the ‘green light’ to a move to Stamford Bridge. Newcastle are on of four teams to have held talks with

Delap over a potential move, it is being reported. Everton, Man United as well as Chelsea have also been talking to the player over a £30 million switch. It seems that the Blues have won

the race for the striker after securing Champions League football alongside Newcastle last weekend. THE CHRONICLE SAYS: _Losing out on the race for Delap will be a blow for Newcastle,

especially as the club are expected to be challenging alongside Chelsea in the Premier League table again next season. However, the biggest thing for the Magpies will be keeping hold of

Alexander Isak over the summer window. _ _If they can do that, as they are expected to do so, then it will be the biggest move in the transfer window ahead of another season of Champions

League football. _ BARCELONA TRANSFER BATTLE Newcastle are in a transfer battle with Barcelona for Espanyol goalkeeperJoan Garcia, according to reports in Spain. Spanish journalist Xavi

Espinosa claims that the transfer battle is between the two teams, with Manchester City instead opting to move for Porto’s Diogo Costa. It’s said that Garcia has already slimmed his options

down to Newcastle and Barcelona, with the player feeling that they are the options that best suit him. Newcastle will now look to beat the Spanish giants in the transfer race. THE CHRONICLE

SAYS: _Being in a transfer race with Barca is something that will catch the eye. Newcastle do, however, have five goalkeepers already on their books with Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, John

Ruddy, Odysseas Vlachodimos and Mark Gillespie all options for Howe. _ _The signing of Garcia would allow Newcastle to let one or two of those go either on permanent or loan deals. Some

reports have, however, said that Garcia will be looking for regular game time when he makes his choice, something that Howe will have to convince the players that he could offer. _ _Here at

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