Newcastle United given green light to seal £18m swoop as Leicester and Nottingham Forest also alerted

Newcastle United are reportedly considering a move for Metz midfielder Boubacar Traore.

The 20-year-old is reportedly available for around £18million and that has attracted the attention of several clubs in France and England.

Ligue 1 trio Monaco, Lyon and Nice are all said to be keen to keen the Mali-born star and Football Insider have named Newcastle alongside Leicester City, Southampton and Nottingham Forest as the four clubs interested on offering the midfielder a first shot at life in the Premier League.

Wolverhampton Wanderers tried to secure a deal for Traore during the January transfer window but saw a bid rejected by Metz before turning their attention elsewhere.

The midfielder has been part of a crop of promising youngsters that were thrust into action in Ligue 1 over the last two seasons and he received praise from manager Frederic Antonetti for his performances during that time.

Speaking to RL Sports midway through last season, he said: “For several weeks, the young people will be there.

“The goal of the club, in addition to maintaining it, of course, is to get out of the players. It is a mission that takes time.

“But it will happen. Boubacar Traore, for example, is exploding.”

Traore scored two goals and provided one assist during 30 appearances in all competitions for Metz last season.

His combative style saw him receive seven yellow cards and one red card during the campaign, with the latter coming on the final day of the season in a 5-0 defeat at Ligue 1 champions PSG.

The majority of his appearances came as a defensive midfielder, meaning he could offer Eddie Howe a different option in the middle of the park if the Magpies boss decides to make a move.