Newcastle United keeping tabs on Lille attacker Hakon Arnar Haraldsson | OneFootball

Newcastle United are keeping tabs on Lille attacking midfielder Hakon Arnar Haraldsson after their recruitment chief Steve Nickson returned reports on him, according to the Daily Mail.

The Magpies representative was in attendance at the Ligue 1 clash between Lille and Nice on January 17 to check on Canada international striker Jonathan David, but the Iceland international also caught his attention and he told the St. James Park club about him.

The 21-year-old Haraldsson can operate in midfield or as a winger, and while a January move for him is not on the cards, Newcastle are believed to be monitoring him ahead of the summer transfer window.

He scored a goal in the presence of Nickson as Lille ran out 2-1 winners, and he has earned and won comparison to Real Madrid legend Luka Modric for his technical ability on the ball.

Newcastle and several Premier League clubs also ran the rule over Haraldsson during the Champions League clash between his side and Liverpool on Tuesday night.

While Lille were beaten 2-1 at Anfield, an observer told the Daily Mail that he was the best player on the pitch.

The Icelandic midfielder has been one of the best players at the Ligue 1 club since joining them from Danish Superliga club Copenhagen in the summer of 2023, and the Toons could do with such a player in their squad.

Playing through balls and key passes are some of his strengths, and his creativity has also attracted big wigs like Man United.

Newcastle need to further bolster their attacking ranks if they are to establish themselves as regular challengers for the top-four, and someone like Haraldsson fits the bill.

Given his huge potential and obvious talents, they will face plenty of competition for his services in the summer and will have to qualify for the Champions League to have a chance of landing him.