Two former Newcastle United players could be back in the Premier League next season – if the rumour mill is true.
Florian Thauvin and Ivan Toney had very different careers at St James’s Park, though both had the same outcome.
Yet the pair, after being written off by the Magpies, have rebuilt elsewhere and could be awarded a second crack at England’s top-flight.
Beginning with Thauvin, the winger effectively left Newcastle after half a season when he was loaned back to Marseille before soon completing a permanent move.
And since then, the 28-year-old has caught the eye on the European stage, as well as establishing himself as a France international.
Thauvin seems better equipped for the Premier League this time around and according to Eurosport, he could get that opportunity with Leicester City.
The Foxes have identified Thauvin as a potential target as it is unlikely Brendan Rodgers will activate Roma’s £22million buyout clause to turn Cengiz Under’s loan into a permanent one.
His contract is due to expire at the end of the season, so he won’t be short of offers that’s for sure with seven goals and nine assists this season.
Onto Toney – it is West Ham United who are reportedly considering a summer swoop.
Signed from Northampton Town in 2015, Toney was viewed as one for the future and his current form suggests United were wrong to give up on him so early.
The 24-year-old was loaned out six different times to Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Scunthorpe United and Wigan Athletic before joining Peterborough United for a low fee.
Forty-nine goals in 94 appearances for Posh earned him a move to Brentford, and he’s taking to the Championship like a duck to water with 22 goals so far.
It does seem a top-flight return for Toney is just around the corner and he’ll be itching to prove the Magpies wrong.
Here’s a round-up of the latest gossip doing the rounds across the Premier League:
1. City eye striker
Manchester City will prioritise signing a striker this summer, regardless of whether they lure Barcelona star Lionel Messi to the Etihad Stadium. Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland remains Pep Guardiola’s main target. (Goal) Photo: THOMAS KIENZLE
2. Spurs monitor Damsgaard
Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Sampdoria midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard with his value tripling from the £5.2million the Serie A club paid to sign him last summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport via Football Italia) Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
3. Solomon confirms PL interest
Arsenal-linked forward Manor Solomon has confirmed that a number of Premier League clubs have expressed an interest in signing him. He said: “My dream is to play in England and it also seems to be the most realistic option for me.” (Goal) Photo: Denis Doyle
4. Musa move falls through
Former Leicester City flop and free agent Ahmed Musa’s move to West Bromwich Albion has collapsed. The Baggies already feel they have stronger players in his position. (Birmingham Live) Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE