NEWCASTLE UNITED have made a loan inquiry about Ethan Ampadu, with the Chelsea youngster expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the next two weeks.

Ampadu was part of the Wales squad that made the knockout stages of this summer’s European Championships, but the 20-year-old did not feature in Thomas Tuchel’s 20-man squad for Chelsea’s opening game of the season against Southampton last weekend.

He finds himself well down the Blues’ pecking order, and has been told Tuchel will not stand in his way if he wants to pursue a season-long loan deal ahead of the transfer deadline on August 31.

Newcastle officials are aware of his availability, and Steve Bruce regards him as a potentially valuable addition to a defensive unit that has lost Florian Lejeune, who completed a permanent move to Alaves, since the end of last season.

Bruce made an attempt to sign Axel Tuanzebe earlier in the summer, only for the Manchester United youngster to opt for a move to Aston Villa instead.

Ampadu joined Chelsea from Exeter City in the summer of 2017, but has been unable to establish himself as a first-team regular in South London.

He has spent time with German side RB Leipzig, and was on loan at Sheffield United last season, making 29 appearances in all competitions as the Blades were relegated from the Premier League.