NEWCASTLE UNITED are keen to hear if Tammy Abraham is still keen on making the move to Tyneside from Chelsea after increased attention in the striker.

The England Under-21s front-man has caught the eye of plenty of clubs and has slowed things up after the Magpies had initially been confident of tying up the deal quickly.

Newcastle are still confident they will the destination Abraham chooses to play his football next season, although it has become clear that a season-long loan from Stamford Bridge is not as straight-forward as had been thought.

Now Rafael Benitez has instructed the club’s managing director Lee Charnley to find out whether the chances of Newcastle landing their man have rescinded.

The 19-year-old has put a decision about his future on hold until after the European Under-21s Championship starting in Poland on Friday.

Brighton and Swansea have made concrete offers for Abraham, while it has emerged Vitesse Arnhem are keen to take him to Holland for the season.

Vitesse have strong links with Chelsea, having previously taken Lewis Baker, Matt Miazga and Patrick van Aanholt, among others, there for a period to further their development.

Now it has emerged Vitesse are hopeful of securing a deal ahead of Newcastle, although Abraham has hinted this week that a crack at the Premier League would suit.

The Dutch club’s general director Joost de Wit said: “With Chelsea we are working together with great pleasure, we have announced our wishes and are fully conversant.

"It is clear that we want to have a strong, broad selection next season. Also with a view to European matches.”

Newcastle are yet to add to the squad, with the exception of turning Christian Atsu’s loan from Chelsea into a permanent arrangement for a fee of £6.2m.

They are still confident of bringing in Florian Lejeune from Eibar, while discussions with Napoli have taken place for goalkeeper Pepe Reina and Manchester City’s Willy Caballero, who is set to become a free agent.

Newcastle are keen to bolster options across the pitch, and Benitez is particularly interested in improving his defensive options.

A deal for centre-back Lejeune should go through, while Newcastle have been credited once again with Valencia defender Aymen Abdennour.

The 27-year-old has been on Newcastle’s radar in the past but he opted to move to the Mestalla rather than St James’ Park when he was with Monaco two years ago.

Tunisian Abdennour is available for a lot less than the £22m he joined Valencia for, with Newcastle being quoted in the region of £13m if they want to conclude a deal.

Newcastle's Swiss defender Kevin Mbabu has left on a permanent basis after joining Young Boys for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Stade de Suisse last season, helping Adi Hütter's side to finish second in the Super League.

Mbabu moved to Newcastle from Servette in January 2013 and he looked a decent prospect when Steve McClaren handed him a surprise debut in a Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in September 2015.

He was then pitched in for a Premier League bow against Chelsea three days later but injuries halted his progress. Mbabu also had a loan spell with Rangers and made a total of five appearances for the Magpies in all competitions.