Chelsea alerted by Simpson sale rumours

Chelsea are monitoring Danny Simpson's situation at Newcastle after it emerged he will be put up for sale this summer, reports the Sunday Mirror.

The 25-year-old defender has been locked in contract negotiations with the Magpies' board for most of the campaign, but talks now appear to have reached an impasse.

Simpson hoped that his form this season would prompt the club to offer improved terms, but officials are refusing to budge, alerting the attention of the Blues.

Roberto Di Matteo remains in temporary charge of first-team affairs at Stamford Bridge at least until the end of the current campaign, but that hasn't stopped Russian owner Roman Abramovich from drawing up a shortlist of prospective targets.

Right-back has been something of a problem position for Chelsea in recent years, and Simpson could be the man to resolve the defensive issue once and for all.