Newcastle United were linked with signing Leandro Trossard earlier in the year, and they will get the chance to see the Belgian winger up close today.
The Magpies head down south to take on Brighton, at what is set to be a swelteringly hot Amex Stadium. It should be a thrilling encounter, with both sides feeling confident after the opening weekend of the season.
There are plenty of subplots too. It’s the first time Newcastle and Brighton have met since Dan Ashworth took over as Toon Sporting Director, while it will be Dan Burn’s first appearance at the Amex since leaving in January.
And it will also see Trossard feature, a player who Newcastle reportedly wanted to sign this summer.
Newcastle were linked with Trossard
The Daily Mail reported back in April that the Magpies were interested in signing the 27-year-old. He was one of three attackers named as potential signings, alongside Moussa Diaby and Brennan Johnson.
Diaby has decided to stay with Leverkusen, while Johnson is now a Premier League player and made his top flight debut last week.
As for Trossard, the Daily Mail reported that he was looking to leave Brighton this summer. But that hasn’t proven to be the case so far.
There has been no fresh talk of Eddie Howe’s side making a move for the Belgium international, but could that change after today’s game?
A strong performance against Newcastle might make him an option once again, with the club struggling to sign a new winger.
Trossard certainly ticks a lot of boxes, and he’s a player Ashworth knows well. He was the man who brought Trossard to England in the summer of 2019 for £18million.
Brighton’s number 11 is hard working, a great dribbler and capable of scoring spectacular goals. He’s a creator too, as we saw last week against Manchester United.
He’d be an astute signing for Newcastle – and could become a target again if he performs today. But if that means he helps Brighton pick up three points, perhaps it would be best if he has a quiet afternoon…