Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed Newcastle United target Hakim Ziyech will not be sold at a cut price amid talk of a January exit.

What's the word?

Chelsea have made a number of high-profile signings this winter and so there's every chance they look to offload some players before the transfer market comes to an end.

For instance, according to a report in Italian media, Ziyech could be sold for a fee under €20m (£17.5m). Amid that claim, The Telegraph have reported this month that the attacking midfielder is potentially being targeted by Newcastle.

However, when discussing the situation on NUFC Matters, Jacobs insisted that Chelsea have no interest in seeing the Moroccan leave on the cheap this winter and that, coupled with his high wages, could be a big problem for the Magpies.

He said (31:19): "Also Hakim Ziyech, who I mentioned before, who's available on the market, the challenge is wages, and also the challenges the fact that it's not true that Chelsea are going to cave and make a loss on him and sell a player that was superb during the World Cup from Morocco for something like £12m to £15m.

"It's going to be much closer to the mid-20s, it might even be somewhere all into the tune of what Chelsea paid, which was about £33m, I believe.

"So a big-ish fee. And on top of that huge wages, but one to watch between now and the end of the window. “

Good move?

Ziyech arrived from Ajax for about £33m back in 2020 but has struggled to establish himself as a regular and has started just four times in the league this term.

What's more, with the likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk. Noni Madueke and Joao Felix all arriving this winter, regular game time will be even harder to come by.

It is interesting then, to learn that Chelsea will supposedly not let him go on the cheap. This may well come as a bit of a blow to the Magpies who – after agreeing to spend £45m on Anthony Gordon – may be unable to spend big on any more winter deals.

Still, with the player certainly on the market, who knows how it could all play out in the next few days.