Newcastle United's scouting trip to Italy in 2020 was in search of DeAndre Yedlin's successor. The Magpies scouts cast their eye over Bologna and Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The Toon hierarchy would not pursue a move for the right-back, but his summer arrival at the Emirates has raised some eyebrows. The 23-year-old has played a large part in Arsenal's quest for European football, despite missing a large part of the campaign.
Chronicle Live spoke with Arsenal FC writer for Football London, Kaya Kaynak, to see whether Newcastle have missed a trick by exploring other options.
READ MORE: Incoming Newcastle United director outlines 'wide and thorough vision' at St James' Park
Tomiyasu is a player who Newcastle scouted, how has he fared this season?
Kaya Kaynak: " For me he's been Arsenal's signing of the season. He is an absolutely outstanding defender who hardly ever loses aerial battles or individual duels.
"He's excellent on the ball, comfortable with both feet and capable of playing anywhere across the backline. I'd say Newcastle missed a trick there."
He missed a large part of the campaign, why was that?
KK: "Unfortunately he picked up a calf injury in January, but at the time Arsenal had a shortage of right backs which meant that he had to play through it. In doing this he aggravated the problem ruling himself out for an initial six week period.
"He was fit enough to make the bench against Brentford in February, but then almost immediately after he then pulled his other calf in a terrible stroke of luck. Sources at the club seem to think it's his body reacting to the pace of the Premier League and the lack of rest time he had after playing every minute for Arsenal, from his arrival up until Boxing Day, and also playing in crucial World Cup qualifiers halfway across the world in Japan."
