Newcastle have now submitted a bid to sign someone Enzo Maresca wants Chelsea to buy.
Eddie Howe is primarily focused on signing a new goalkeeper this summer after Loris Karius was released, and Nick Pope missed 20 Premier League games through injury last season.
There have also been attempts to sign a new central defender, with TosinAdarabioyo close to joining before Chelsea hijacked the deal.
Now – however – Newcastle are making strong progress in a push to sign another player wanted by Enzo Maresca…
Newcastle submit improved bid for Giorgi Mamardashvili
An update by Spanish news outlet COPE now states that Newcastle have made a €41m (£35m) bid to sign Valencia No.25 Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Spanish journalist Nacho Sanchis recently claimed that the Magpies were preparing an improved offer after seeing an opening bid worth £21m rejected.
Now, a substantially improved bid has been lodged, worth £14m more than the initial offer.
It comes after Football London claimed just a matter of days ago that Chelsea are keen to sign the Georgia international – so perhaps that update sparked Newcastle into life, in fear of losing out on another target to the Blues.
Mamardashvili made 37 appearances in La Liga last season, keeping 13 clean sheets while conceding 41 goals.
Magpies have backup option
If Chelsea find a way to beat Newcastle to Mamardashvili as well as Adarabioyo, Howe does at least have a backup option.
Another story from the aforementioned Sanchis states that Newcastle have decided to make a move to sign Villarreal No.13 Filip Jorgensen if a deal for the Valencia glovesman collapses.
If Newcastle somehow fail to sign either Mamardashvili or Jorgensen, there is also said to be interest in Arsenal No.1 Aaron Ramsdale, who is expected to leave after losing his place to David Raya last season.
READ MORE: £10m Newcastle player could join Portsmouth after being released
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Newcastle await the outcome of their £35m bid.