Newcastle make move to beat Southampton to Choudhury signing after Bruce talks held
Newcastle United are working to beat Southampton to the signing of Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, Football Insider understands.
The north-east giants came close to landing the 23-year-old in January only for the deal to collapse at the eleventh hour.
A Newcastle source has told Football Insider Steve Bruce has already spoken to Choudhury about joining this summer after making him one of his top targets.
The central midfielder is set to fall further down the Leicester pecking order if, as expected Boubakary Soumare, signs from Lille.
The Foxes are in talks to sign the 23-year-old for a fee of around £18m.
Bruce has long been an admirer of Choudhury and came within a whisker of landing him in January.
He also has interest from Southampton, who could be looking for a replacement for James Ward-Prowse amid growing Aston Villa interest.
Newcastle eventually pulled the plug on a deal that was part of a three-club transfer chain also involving Leicester and Watford.
Matty Longstaff was set to join the Hornets on loan after failing to be given first team minutes under Bruce.
This would have seen Choudhury join Newcastle and Nathan Chalobah move to the King Power Stadium.
However, on 9th February, Football Insider revealed the Magpies blocked Longtsaff's move as they are still furious with Watford's Pozzo family owners.
Last year, the Magpies were fuming with Watford’s owners over their pursuit of Longstaff for their other club Udinese.
Newcastle felt Udinese unsettled Longstaff by offering him a deal to move to Italy during their contract talks.
The midfielder eventually signed a new two-year deal with Newcastle.
During January's deadline day, Newcastle instead secured the loan signing of Joe Willock from Arsenal.
His eight goals in 14 games helped to keep the Toon in the Premier League.