Newcastle United
Premier League • England
Sneaky blockbuster Newcastle transfer still on despite expected blow as Brighton take action
Brighton will exercise a clause in Leandro Trossard’s contract to extend it by another 12 months and stop him talking to other clubs in January, TEAMtalk can confirm.
Chelsea and Newcastle are both exploring moves for attacker Trossard either in January or next summer. Indeed, former Brighton boss Graham Potter is keen on reuniting with Trossard at Chelsea, as he looks to put his stamp on the Blues’ squad.
However, the strongest interest comes from Newcastle, with the Seagulls’ former sporting director Dan Ashworth desperate to bring the Belgian to St James’ Park.
Trossard signed for Brighton back in summer 2019, costing around £13.8m from Belgian side Genk. Having penned a four-year deal at the time, that arrangement is currently due to expire in summer 2023.
However, TEAMtalk can confirm that, to Brighton’s relief, Trossard – who was one of Ashworth’s first signings for the Seagulls – did secure a one-year option in that contract. And we can confirm that the Seagulls fully intend to take up that option in the coming weeks.
The 27-year-old figured in all three of Belgium’s World Cup games. However, he could not prevent the Red Devils from crashing out at the group stages after a hugely-disappointing campaign.
Trossard is enjoying an outstanding campaign for the Seagulls with seven goals and three assists to his name already. He is very much on course to better last season’s tally, which included eight goals with three further assists.
Newcastle interest in Leonard Trossard remains
However, despite safeguarding themselves against losing him on a free, Brighton are still bracing themselves for offers for Trossard.
But the decision to take up the one-year option on his deal at least bides them some time. And while it protects them against losing Trossard on a pre-contract deal in January, they can try again to convince him to sign a new deal.
Should they fail to convince him to sign an extension, however, the Seagulls will likely be left with little choice but to cash in.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is a huge admirer of the star and is known to be looking for another wing option. Howe also likes Jack Harrison at Leeds, but would move for Trossard first if there was an indication that Brighton will sell.
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