Signing Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour would have been "a good piece of business" for Newcastle United this summer, the club's former player Steve Howey exclusively told Football FanCast.

Gilmour is currently on loan at Norwich City for the season but was linked with a move to St. James' Park prior to linking up with Daniel Farke's side.

According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle were keen on both Gilmour and Tammy Abraham as they looked to do business with Chelsea.

In the end, though, Gilmour opted for Norwich, while Newcastle are now being linked with another young Chelsea midfielder in Conor Gallagher.

The Athletic reports that the Magpies are interested in signing the 21-year-old, though they face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Leeds United and Crystal Palace.

Howey, however, has made it clear that Gilmour is the one he really wanted to see at St. James' Park.

"A good piece of business would have been the other lad, Gilmour," the ex-Newcastle central defender said as he discussed the speculation surrounding Gallagher. "He would have been a great piece of business.

"Now, without being disrespectful to Norwich, you'd have thought Newcastle would have been a great option for him."

Newcastle have also missed out on recent target Mario Lemina following his move from Southampton to Nice, so reinforcing the midfield is proving to be a tricky task for Steve Bruce this transfer window.