Sevilla have joined Newcastle United in the chase for Auxerre’s impressive midfielder Alain Traore, much to the player’s delight.

 

The 22-year-old is a product of the French side’s youth academy and his tough-tackling antics in Auxerre’s midfield have attracted attention from abroad.

 

English side Newcastle have cash to spend in January and the recruitment of Traore would fit perfectly with their policy of seeking value for money from the French market.

 

But Traore has now appeared on La Liga outfit Sevilla’s radar too, making a swoop by the Magpies slightly more complicated.

 

The Burkina Faso international however is delighted that he may have a choice of clubs, declaring that he is overjoyed to know teams of such stature are tracking him.

 

"It’s a pleasure to know that these clubs are following me", said Traore, while vowing to keep his eye on the ball at Auxerre, "but at this time, that’s just a secondary thing."

 

Traore spent time on loan at Brest in 2009, giving his development a shot in the arm.

 

This season the midfielder has been a key part of Auxerre’s engine room, though the northern French club have struggled and sit near the bottom of Ligue 1.

 

Latest Features: