Chelsea's £40m asking price for Tammy Abraham puts him 'out of reach' for Newcastle United, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.

The lowdown

Ornstein reported that it is 'very likely' that the striker will push for a move away from Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

He has played just 230 minutes since Thomas Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard at the end of January, while talks over a new deal at Stamford Bridge have stalled (via The Guardian).

Newcastle were one of the clubs who had identified Abraham, still Chelsea's joint-top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions, as a 'possible target'.

The latest

If Ornstein is correct, the Magpies won't break their transfer record to sign Abraham. That currently stands at £39.6m, the fee they paid to sign Joelinton from Hoffenheim in 2019.

Leicester City and Aston Villa would also be priced out of such a move, although West Ham United are said to be pushing for a solution and will apparently try to bring him on loan instead. [The Athletic]

Ornstein raises doubts about that possibility given that Abraham has only two years left on his deal, meaning he would probably have to agree to an extension before making a temporary exit, while he would take 'some convincing' to put pen to paper.

The verdict

Newcastle's hopes of signing Abraham may not have been totally extinguished. If the striker is determined to leave Chelsea, the Blues may have to lower their asking price, as it's clear that their present demands are unrealistic.

It could be argued, though, that the striker position shouldn't be the focus of Newcastle's investment this summer. Callum Wilson has netted 12 Premier League goals in 2020/21 and Allan Saint-Maximin completes an already potent frontline.

It certainly seems that the Magpies' transfer kitty could be more wisely spent elsewhere than lashing out £40m+ on Abraham.

In other news, could the Newcastle takeover be completed in time for a big summer spend?