Newcastle and Stoke send scouts to watch French non-League whizz-kid Nordine Ibouroi
European clubs including St Etienne and Cologne are keeping tabs on FC Martigues's 19-year-old striker, who scored a spectacular long-ranger against Monaco reserves last month
STOKE and Newcastle have sent scouts to France to watch whizz-kid Nordine Ibouroi.
The 19-year-old striker has got many European clubs heading to non-League stadiums to try to snap up the teenager from fourth-tier side FC Martigues.
Ibouroi scored a spectacular long-ranger against Monaco's reserve team last month to increase the spotlight on him.
Championship clubs have also been monitoring his progress.
Meanwhile, Niort and St Etienne have shown interest in France.
And the Bundesliga's bottom side, Cologne, are also keeping tabs on him.
The forward has caught the eye with his performances for Martigues, who once had Eric Cantona on loan but have dropped into Championnat National 2.
It has still been a decent platform for Ibouroi, who can play as a wide man, to get noticed by pro clubs.
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He has been called up for his country, Comoros in Africa.
But also holds a French passport, meaning he could move without work-permit problems.
Newcastle will be more focused at the moment over controversial owner Mike Ashley's revelations that he is willing to sell the club.
But Turkey's richest man, billionaire biscuit king Murat Ulker, has denied reports he is interested in a takeover.
Stoke, meanwhile, are concentrating on putting last weekends 7-2 humbling at Premier League leaders Manchester City behind them.
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