Newcastle United and Sunderland have been linked with a Ligue 1 winger.

Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Ligue 1 winger Gessime Yassine - but could find their plans scuppered by Premier League rivals Chelsea.

The 20-year-old joined Strasbourg from USL Dunkerque in January and provided two assists in his first 19 appearances for his new club during the second half of last season. That form was enough to earn Yassine a call-up to the Morocco squad for this summer’s World Cup finals and he made three appearances during the tournament, scoring in a group stage win against Haiti before remaining on the bench as his side fell to a quarter-final defeat against France.

The momentum gained from his performances at international level have continued into the new season and Yassine has caught the eye with two goals and two assists in seven appearances for Strasbourg as his side have struggled during the opening two months of the campaign.

Despite those struggles, Yassine’s form has been enough to capture the attention of several clubs with TeamTalk reporting Newcastle are one of six Premier League clubs ‘watching him closely’ this season. The Magpies, Sunderland, Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford, Everton and Nottingham Forest have all been named as potential suitors for the winger - but Strasbourg’s strong link with Chelsea have ensured the Blues aer in pole position for his signature.

The same report states Chelsea ‘see Yassine as one for the future’ and that their long-term plans are to secure a deal at some point as another deal between two clubs under BlueCo ownership comes to fruition. However, it is also said to be ‘unsure’ whether a deal to take the youngster to Stamford Bridge will take place next summer given the number of options Chelsea possess in wide areas.