Newcastle ‘are ready to trigger Maxwel Cornet’s £17.5m release clause’ as they join Chelsea and Everton in transfer race

NEWCASTLE are set to beat Chelsea and Everton to the signing of Maxwel Cornet by triggering his release clause, reports suggest.

The Magpies are looking for ways to bolster their attack after enduring a frustrating window in trying to bring in competition for Callum Wilson.

PA

Maxwel Cornet contributed 10 league goals in 26 games for Burnley last season[/caption]

Their search has led to them Burnley star Cornet, who was relegated with The Clarets last season as the club’s top scorer with nine goals.

According to talkSPORT, Newcastle are ready to trigger Cornet’s £17.5million release clause.

Cornet is highly sought after from Premier League teams this summer.

Everton have already seen a loan bid rejected for the Ivorian, while he also failed to agree personal terms on a move to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.

However, Everton have instead struck a deal to sign English winger Dwight McNeil in a £20m transfer.

Chelsea have considered a move for Cornet as an alternative to Raphinha, who joined Barcelona earlier in the window.

However, they have thus far not pursued this any further despite enduring a difficult window.

Should front-runners Newcastle land Cornet he will represent their fourth signing of the summer, following on from Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman.

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Cornet, as mentioned earlier, was Burnley’s top goalscorer despite missing 12 games across the season.

In fact it is easy to see why Burnley suffered relegation heartbreak when Cornet was top of the list by six goals.

Prior to his transfer to Burnley last summer, Cornet starred for Lyon, operating primarily as a left-back for the Ligue 1 side.

He made 252 appearances for the French club, scoring 51 goals and contributing 29 assists.