Newcastle United are keen on Coventry City Coventry City striker Norman Bassette and have been watching him recently, according to the Daily Mail.
The Magpies want to strengthen their striking department with the future of Alexander Isak in doubt and Callum Wilson out of contract at the end of the season, and the 20-year-old Belgium international has emerged as a potential target.
Bassette joined Coventry from Ligue 2 club Caen during the last summer transfer window and has notched a goal and an assist in ten appearances so far.
Newcastle sent scouts to watch the youngster in action against Middlesbrough and Sunderland and will continue to keep close tabs on his development.
Bassette made his debut for the Belgium national team this month in their Nations League game against Israel and is highly regarded in his country.
The 6ft 1in has not been prolific in front of goal so far, but the Toons see similarities between him and Sporting Lisbon hitman Viktor Gyokeres.
Newcastle scouted the Sweden international striker for several months before he moved to Portugal, and they do not want to make the same mistake with the Belgian.
Bassette has a similar skillset with Gyokeres and could go on to emulate the former Coventry star, who has since bagged 67 goals in 70 appearances for Sporting.
Having made his professional debut at 16, the forward has huge potential, and Newcastle will continue to monitor his situation going forward.
However, they are not the only ones keen on him and they may need to take the punt on him by signing him as soon as they can instead of waiting before he starts scoring regularly.
A move to the Magpies could appeal to Bassette if they qualify for Europe next term, and they can land him for less than £10 million next year as he cost the Sky Blues just £2.5m in the summer.
