NEWCASTLE UNITED want to sign Kenedy and Andros Townsend this summer, and are willing to sanction the departure of Matt Ritchie if it enables them to land the wing duo.

Having completed the free signing of Ki Sung-yeung on Friday, the Magpies are hoping to press ahead with more transfer business this week.

They have held a number of discussions with Chelsea over Kenedy, who spent the second half of last season on loan at St James’ Park, and while the Stamford Bridge club remain in a state of flux amid uncertainty over the future of their manager, Antonio Conte, the Magpies have received an indication that another deal for the Brazilian is possible.

Similarly, initial talks with Crystal Palace over Townsend have been positive, even if the two clubs still remain some distance apart in their valuation of the England international.

Having sold Townsend to Palace for £13m two years ago, the Newcastle hierarchy are reluctant to pay much more than £18m this summer. Palace began the summer valuing Townsend at £30m, but there is an acceptance on both sides of the negotiations that a degree of flexibility will be necessary to secure a deal. At this stage, a compromise figure of around £22m looks as though it could be possible.

Newcastle would look to fund the majority of the Townsend deal from Ritchie’s departure, with Stoke and Bournemouth having expressed a strong interest in the Scotland international.

Stoke are willing to pay £15m for Ritchie, who started all bar six of Newcastle’s Premier League matches last season, while Bournemouth are also keen to re-sign their former winger.

Ki became Newcastle’s second summer signing on Friday, and the South Korean is looking forward to resuming the midfield partnership with Jonjo Shelvey that proved so successful at Swansea City.

“I know Jonjo very well and have very good memories of playing with him at Swansea,” said Ki. “It was the best season of my career with Jonjo. I know him very well and how good he is. Hopefully, we can help make another good season.

“This is club where the players can have pride, and the facilities and fans here are perfect.”