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On first inspection, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a Premier League winner who has scored four goals in his last three games appears being linked to Newcastle United is a complete non-starter.

But this one, unlike the Yaya Toure rumour which was floated earlier this month and appeared to be agent talk, perhaps has a bit of substance behind it.

Now, before we get too far into this let me make it clear that I am not suggesting that Michy Batshuayi will be a Magpie come the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign.

Just do not entirely dismiss this one out of hand.

It is not completely beyond the realms of possibility, such is Rafa Benitez’s ambition .

The reported rekindling of interest in a player who Newcastle have long admired - Graham Carr frequently watched the forward when he was at Marseille - helps provide us with a little insight into how the Magpies will approach this summer’s transfer window .

Benitez and United will aspire high but maintain a sense of realism too.

Bold targets will be sought initially, before the likelihood that in most key positions the Magpies will be forced to settle for less-ambitious recruits.

That is the Benitez way; strive for the best possible first and foremost, but have a vast array of back-up options ready to move for if the original target proves unattainable.

Newcastle are looking to add anywhere between seven and 12 players to their squad, including at least five who could realistically slot straight into a top-flight first XI.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Some of those signings will be, almost inevitably, loans. In fact, Benitez is actively pursuing such avenues.

That’s where a player such as Batshuayi comes into the equation.

At first viewing, this one appears to be fit into the ‘unattainable’ column.

The 23-year-old has, after all, just lifted the Premier League title with Chelsea following a £33million transfer to Stamford Bridge last summer.

True he has only started one league match all season, but the Belgian’s goal-scoring record has been exceptional.

As well as netting four times in his last three outings - only one of which has been as a starter - Batshuayi has averaged a goal every 48 minutes in the Premier League this season.

That is quite some record, even if his first season in west London has only brought with it nine goals in all.

Given Benitez’s likely summer budget of between £70m and £100m - the final figure will be determined by player sales - it seems highly unlikely that Newcastle will splash the sort of cash which Chelsea would want to even contemplate allowing Batshuayi to leave permanently.

But that’s where the loan market comes into play.

Chelsea are said to be unsure about how to continue Batshuayi’s development next season.

The forward is immensely talented, but he remains raw.

What’s more, the striker is keen to ensure he travels to Russia with Belgium for next year’s World Cup - and, in order to do that, he must ensure he is playing regularly during the 2017/18 campaign.

Diego Costa continues to be linked with a move to China, but Romelu Lukaku is reportedly edging closer to a Blues return.

So where does that leave Batshuayi?

Chelsea will reportedly need to break the world-record transfer fee to sign Lukaku, and they will not do that to merely leave him on the bench.

Seemingly, it could be in the Blues best interests to allow the forward to head out on loan to continue his development this season.

There will be a whole host of suitors if that is the case, but do not be surprised to see Newcastle throw their hat into the ring.

The Magpies maintain a positive relationship with the Blues following Christian Atsu’s successful Tyneside loan last season, which will become permanent once a work permit is granted.

And who better to manage this crucial stage of Batshuayi’s evolution than Benitez, who has helped turn the likes of Fernando Torres and Gonzalo Higuain into world-class strikers.

The reality remains that Batshuayi to Newcastle is highly unlikely this summer.

But it is not entirely inconceivable.

Benitez and United will aim high this summer then, if their top targets prove unattainable, they will move on to ‘more realistic’ options.

Outlandish names will be linked to Newcastle this summer, and many of them - like Dries Mertens - will be fliers.

But not all of them. Ambition and potential pulling power are just two of the key attributes Benitez brings to Newcastle, after all.