Key figures at Newcastle United and Chelsea want reunion with Belgian star

Newcastle United are showing ‘a keen interest’ in Brighton and Hove Albion forward Leandro Trossard as they step up their plans for the January transfer window.

However, the Magpies will face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea, who are reportedly keen to reunite the Belgium international with Blues manager Graham Potter.

Newcastle have a former Seagulls employee of their own after they appointing Dan Ashworth as their sporting director earlier this year and he is said to have played a key role in identifying the winger as a potential signing during his time on the South Coast.

Trossard joined Brighton in a £14m deal from Belgian club Genk in the summer of 2019 and quickly made an impact with the Seagulls, scoring his first goal in just his second game in a 1-1 home draw with West Ham United.  The Belgian went on to score five goals and provide three assists in 31 Premier League appearances as he established himself as a firm favourite at the AMEX Stadium.

Since his initial success, Trossard has gone to to score 23 goals in 113 appearances in all competitions, including a memorable hat-trick in a 3-3 draw at Liverpool earlier this month.  That form has attracted interest from Chelsea as Potter looks to return to his former club for a player he worked alongside during his three-year reign with the Seagulls.

Trossard discussed speculation linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge during the recent international break, telling Belgian outlet Het Niuewsblad: “I feel very good.  We have had a very good start with Brighton.  I have evolved enormously. I now know how the Premier League works. I grew a lot in that. Confidence, mentally, physically, I have gotten better. I’ve mastered the tricks now.

“Our coach has now left for Chelsea, but speculations about me following him are pointless. If the opportunity arises, I want to go. But I do want to play and not sit on the bench.”

Newcastle are also considering a move for the winger according to 90Min and they will hope Ashworth’s presence can persuade Brighton and Trossard to accept offers to take the 21-times capped Belgium star to Tyneside.  AC Milan and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a move.