Newcastle United are unlikely to make a move for wantaway attacker Leandro Trossard in the January transfer window, journalist Harry De Cosemo has claimed.

What's the word?

Belgium international Trossard has been exiled from the Brighton & Hove Albion squad after a reported fallout with manager Roberto De Zerbi and looks close to leaving the club in the near future.

With not long to go on his contract, he has been linked with a number of clubs including Newcastle, but De Cosemo has claimed that the club look unlikely to pursue the 28-year-old.

Speaking on the True Faith Newcastle Podcast, the journalist claimed that the signing would not align with the current project at the club, while his falling-out with his manager may be off-putting.

"I've had a couple of conversations with people around that deal, and I don't think that he's one for Newcastle this month.

"I think Newcastle's position on right-wingers has changed. I think that position, or left-wingers, or another forward, has changed in terms of desperation or going for it first; the [number] six has become more urgent.

"Also the carry-on with what he said, this situation with De Zerbi that's happened, this statement that's been released which is incredibly explosive - talk of reporting injuries that weren't listened to and things like that - I just don't think that that fits Newcastle in terms of the profile that they're looking for, in terms of character.

"Character is absolutely crucial to what Newcastle are trying to do, that's why it's worked so well. And that's why it's been so seamless to sort of progress over the last year because everyone's just come in and found their feet and just gone for it straight away.

"I'm not saying that Trossard wouldn't necessarily do that. But I think that this whole publicity thing is likely to put a club like Newcastle off at this stage."

An unnecessary signing?

Newcastle have typically targeted younger players such as Alexander Isak and Joe Willock in their current project, which has seen them shoot up the table, and any additions now should be top-quality level-raisers.

Although Trossard has had a good campaign, he would arguably arrive as a squad player to compete with Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and either Joelinton or Allan Saint-Maximin in the front three. Therefore, he would not necessarily be a long-term addition.

The club have also been linked with 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen attacker Moussa Diaby, and if that deal was to happen, it would be one that arguably stands a better chance of helping Newcastle reach the next level over the next few years, rather than a more short-term buy in Trossard.