It was only a matter of time for Newcastle to be linked with Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar. Earlier this week, L’Equipe reported that Lyon will sell the Frenchman this summer if they receive an offer matching their £43m valuation.

In January, we did a report on Newcastle’s scouting mission to Bordeaux in which they watched Lyon defeat Bordeaux 2-1.

We surmised that the 21-year-old could have been one of several players on the pitch that day the Newcastle scouts had their eyes on. Aouar played the entire ninety minutes while taking the captain’s armband.

Houssem Aouar– outstanding young French midfielder

The French outlet Foot-Sur7 have joined the extensive and prestigious list of clubs chasing the young star.

Real Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool, and both Manchester clubs are reportedly tracking Aouar, so Newcastle are in some elite company if this report is accurate.

Aouar has dual French and Algerian citizenship but has risen through the French ranks up to the U21 level, where he’s made 14 appearances with 4 goals.

He’s a Lyon Academy product who has already made 124 appearances with 24 goals and 24 assists for the first team. This season he has 37 appearances with 9 goals and 7 assists in all competitions.

Lyon failed to qualify for European competition for the first time since the 1990s. Ligue 1 was recently canceled due to the French government’s ban on sporting events until September.

Newcastle were linked earlier this week with Aouar’s teammate Bertrand Traore who is seeking a move away from the French club.

Aouar will turn 22 in June and has the potential to be one of the world’s best. Inconsistency has often plagued him at Lyon, although he’s put in some monstrous performances this season.

We’re not sure of the accuracy of this report as Newcastle are continually linked with almost every player who becomes available. However, Aouar would be an exciting addition to Newcastle this summer.