£13m winger compared to Hatem Ben Arfa could soon be offered to Newcastle

Newcastle United could be about to be handed the opportunity to sign a promising young winger they wanted last summer.

Lyon and France U21 winger Rayan Cherki was on Newcastle's radar last summer before he headed to the U21 European Championships, since then the Magpies have kept an eye on the 20-year-old with a view to a possible move.

Earlier this summer, though, it looked as though Newcastle had missed their opportunity as a move to Borussia Dortmund looked to be set to go ahead.

That move stalled and it's now believed to have collapsed with The Athletic suggesting that Lyon could now waiting on approaches from other clubs.

Lyon seem keen to cash in on Cherki this summer

That heavily suggests that Lyon see his future elsewhere, or are simply keen to cash in on the player to raise some funds.

Either way, now could be the perfect time for Newcastle to strike. We know that Lyon were willing to deal at €15 million (£13 million) and a right winger is definitely required, so why not just go for it?

With Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy both still on the books, bringing in an expensive winger with high wages is probably not an option for the Toon, so why not do a similar approach as the Will Osula deal? Someone young but with plenty still to learn who could play a role in the season, albeit not a prominent one.

Frank Le Boef has compared Cherki to Ben Arfa

It's hardly ideal, we agree, but it's certainly better than bringing in nobody which is starting to look like a real possibility.

The problem is, as we said in May, while there have been comparisons made to Hatem Ben Arfa in the way that Cherki plays, he's also been likened to the Newcastle cult hero by virtue of his potential bad attitude.

Frank Le Beoef recently added his voice to the choir telling ESPN that Cherki is like Ben Arfa.

"Rayan Cherki is… you know Hatem Ben Arfa who played for Newcastle and for Nice, Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and Lyon, skilful-wise one of the best players already on earth, 20 years old unbelievable.

“The guy can do everything and for a left-footed [player], has a right foot which is incredible. But still has to improve and he’s young, with like Hatem - when he has to get rid of the ball, when he has to give the ball is either half a second too early or half a second too late. It’s a real rhythm that he has to get, that’s what football is about for me."

Chances are he doesn't pass the personality test for Eddie Howe, but still, he's only 20 and Eddie Howe could easily drill that poor attitude out of him if indeed there is one. He could have just been involved in a clash of personalities and the rumour spread.