Newcastle United are rivalling Chelsea and West Ham United in the race to sign Adama Traore from Middlesbrough this summer.  

According to a report from the Northern Echo, Rafa Benitez is a long-term admirer of Traore, with the Newcastle boss putting the winger on his list of options ahead of a busy summer.

Benitez wants to add pace to his side this summer, after a solid first year back in the Premier League. With Newcastle’s move for Kenedy hitting a bump in the road, Traore is now an option.

Traore’s impressive form for Middlesbrough has put him on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs, after Tony Pulis failed to guide Boro back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

Nevertheless, Traore impressed for Boro, with the 22-year-old making 36 Championship appearances.

The ex-Barcelona trainee scored five goals and registered 10 assists, proving to be a driving force for Pulis’ side during the second-half of the season, as they stormed into the play-offs.

Boro eventually finished fifth in the table, but lost out to Aston Villa in the Championship play-off semi-final.

The Verdict

Interest in Traore is hardly a surprise, as during the second-half of the Championship season he was up there with the division’s most dangerous performers.

For Newcastle, he would be an ideal. However, Boro are a determined Championship outfit, who will want to hang onto the winger and certainly won’t release him in a cut-price deal.

Interest from the likes of Chelsea and West Ham could cause a real battle to secure Traore’s service, which will only add to his value. 

Will Traore be on his way out of Middlesbrough this summer? Let us know your thoughts!