Football
Peter O'Rourke, Transfer correspondent 6y

Arsenal Leicester Southampton scout Basel's Mohamed Elyounoussi - sources

Arsenal, Leicester and Southampton are weighing up moves for Basel star Mohamed Elyounoussi, sources have told ESPN FC.

All three Premier League clubs watched Elyounoussi put in a man-of-the match performance during Basel's shock 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Norway international Elyounoussi scored Basel's equaliser against City before going on to set up the winner for Michael Lang in the second half to cap a fine individual performance.

The 23-year-old has scored seven goals and laid on 13 assists in all competitions for Basel so far this season to earn himself a reputation as one of the best attacking players in Europe.

Elyounoussi was instrumental in helping Basel qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League by finishing runners-up to Manchester United in Group A and he impressed in both meetings against Manchester City in the round of 16.

Arsenal are well aware of Elyounoussi after coming up against him twice in the Champions League group stage last season and they have continued to keep tabs on his progress.

Leicester and Southampton are also long-term admirers of the player, who can play out wide or up front, as they look to bolster their attacking options for next season.

Basel are aware of the mounting interest in the Norway international and are bracing themselves for offers when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

Elyounoussi's agent, Ferhat Cifici, confirmed there was a great deal of interest in the player, but refused to reveal the identity of the clubs that were chasing him.

"I don't want to speak specifically about certain clubs, but there are lots of teams interested in Mohamed," Cifici told ESPN FC. "He was man-of-the-match against Manchester City and I know some clubs went to watch him in that game.

"His performances for Basel have made a lot of teams sit up and take notice of him and what he can do at the highest level.

"The boy is ready to make the next step in his career and I have a lot of meetings planned with clubs so we will see what happens."

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