Pep Guardiola was left impressed by Maxwel Cornet during Manchester City's Champions League clash with Lyon back in November 2018. The Ivorian, who looks set to leave Turf Moor this summer following the club's relegation from the Premier League, scored twice against City in the group stages.
Chronicle Live understands Cornet has been offered to Newcastle United, with a £17.5million relegation release clause inserted into his contract. The Ivory Coast international is reportedly on Nottingham Forest and Leeds United's radar this summer and Eddie Howe's side are also in the market for additions further up the field.
"I was very impressed by the talent of Maxwel Cornet," City’s manager said after Cornet - who played up front that day - scored both goals in the 2-2 draw back in 2018. "There is a lot of talent in France. I love to play in the Champions League because there is a very high quality everywhere in the players and coaches."
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Cornet was one of the standout players for Burnley and hit the ground running, scoring four Premier League goals in just three starts. Former Clarets boss Sean Dyche was quick to praise the 25-year-old, but admitted that the defensive side of his game needed some work.
Speaking to LancsLive last October, Dyche said: "We are still working on the other side of his game because in the Premier League the transition is very quick. We know he can attack and give us something different and we have seen that.
"The openness of the defending side still needs a bit of understanding, the fitness and the sharpness of the Premier League. It will come together but it takes a little bit of time."
The former Lyon winger became a fan favourite during his opening few months with Burnley and was the last player to leave the pitch following their win over Brentford last season. Dyche joked: "We have to get some energy into his running rather than clapping the fans, he spends a lot of time clapping the fans but don’t worry I will knock that out of him as soon as I can."
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