Dubious 'exclusive' breaks on Friday - Newcastle ‘closing in’ on right-winger?

As ever with certain reports that circulate online, it's tough to know if they carry genuine truth or are nothing more than stabs in the dark to generate clicks.

Today we've seen a big 'exclusive' from Football Insider - a transfer site with a very mixed track record - who report that Newcastle United are 'closing in on the signing' of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.

They report that we've already 'agreed personal terms' with the 22-year-old, claiming he's now our preferred target and the 'most likely' to sign of the club’s right-wing targets.

This isn't the first time Madueke has been linked with a summer move to St James' Park, with The Athletic regularly reporting that the former PSV star has been discussed in recruitment meetings. Mark Douglas at the i also reported last month that he was a leading target after we missed out on Michael Olise.

Football Insider state that Chelsea are looking to make a profit on the wide man after spending £29m on the England U21 star 18 months ago. He enjoyed an impressive end to the 2023/24 season under Mauricio Pochettino, ending the season with five goal involvements in their final nine games, but it remains to be seen if he'll feature in Enzo Maresca's plans.

He ticks boxes as a young, left-footed right-winger with pace, Premier League experience and potential to grow under Eddie Howe, but time will tell if there's truth to these big claims being made.