Newcastle United are interested in signing Chelsea striker Timo Werner as PIF look to get their new era underway at St James' Park.

What's the story?

According to German publication BILD, the Magpies would step up their interest in the Germany international if Werner makes it clear that he wants to leave west London.

Journalist Christian Falk added: "Of course, he (Werner) wants to play in the Champions League, but at Chelsea, he said that if it doesn’t work out with the starting eleven, he’ll have to think about something,’ said Bild journalist Christian Falk when asked about Werner’s potential move to Newcastle.

"Then you have to find someone who will pay €20 million in wages, and Newcastle is naturally ideal for that, especially as his management has a new player in Fabian Schar. He’s in constant contact with the club and then with the management, which means the paths are short. As soon as Werner gives a signal that he would like to leave Chelsea, Newcastle are definitely in the conversation."

An upgrade on Joelinton

Given his struggles at Stamford Bridge, it's easy to forget that Werner was consistently one of European football's most lethal strikers in his time at RB Leipzig.

His mixture of pace, movement and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for opposition defences in the Bundesliga, and it was no surprise that he ended his time there with a truly scintillating record of 95 goals in just 159 games - that's not to mention the 40 assists he chipped in with too.

Having been clocked at 11.11 seconds over 100m, Werner himself said: "There's no recipe for it. The quickest players just know how to do it automatically. I like to knock the ball three or four meters ahead of me when I'm on the counter or have space in front of me, that way I can increase the distance between a defender and myself."

The kind of wide-forward that Werner is, makes him a big step-up on the Magpies' Joelinton, who has desperately struggled for any form during his time at St James' Park - the big Brazilian has only managed ten goals in 88 games for the club.

If a new manager at Newcastle can help Werner rediscover that form, then they could have an absolute gem on their hands in someone who remains only 25.

The £49.5m-rated star would be a major upgrade on what Newcastle already have in Joelinton.

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